Climate Shift Index Alert

A late summer heat event in the eastern United States, affecting approximately 120 million people, has been made significantly more likely by human-caused climate change. The event is characterized by record-breaking temperatures, high humidity, and heat indices reaching 115°F, posing severe health risks to vulnerable populations, particularly children.

• Climate change has significantly increased the probability of the late summer heat event in the eastern U.S., with approximately 120 million people facing conditions made at least three times more likely by climate change. Between August 27-30, 76.6 million people across 19 states from Mississippi to Pennsylvania will experience at least one day with a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level of 5, meaning human-caused climate change made the heat at least five times more likely.
• The heat event is characterized by record or near-record high temperatures and high humidity, with daytime heat indices projected between 105°F and 115°F and nighttime temperatures in the mid 70s to 80s. This 'major to extreme heat' affects a wide region from Missouri to Maryland, including cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.
• Extreme heat poses a health risk to all individuals without adequate cooling or hydration, with young children and babies being among the most vulnerable. Data from Kids and Car Safety indicates that at least 27 children have died in hot cars in the United States since May 2024, contributing to a total of at least 1,109 deaths and 7,500 heat-related injuries in children since 1990.

APA

Climate Central (2024). Climate Shift Index Alert. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/eastern-us-august-2024

Chicago

Climate Central. Climate Shift Index Alert. 2024. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/eastern-us-august-2024.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Climate Shift Index Alert |date=27 August 2024 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/eastern-us-august-2024 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2024climate, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Climate Shift Index Alert}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/eastern-us-august-2024}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }