2023 Summer Package

Analysis of 241 U.S. locations shows that 95% have experienced summer warming since 1970, with an average increase of 2.4°F. The West, Southwest, Northwest, and western Texas saw the most heating, with Reno, Nevada, recording the highest increase at 11.1°F. Additionally, 58% of analyzed locations now experience at least two more weeks of above-normal summer days than in 1970. The document highlights that excessive heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people of color living in urban heat islands.

• Between 1970 and 2022, average summer temperatures increased in 229 of the 241 analyzed U.S. locations, representing 95% of the sample. These locations warmed by an average of 2.4°F, with 75 locations warming by 3°F or more.
• The most significant summer warming occurred in the West, Southwest, Northwest, and western Texas. The five locations with the highest warming were Reno, Nev. (11.1°F), Boise, Idaho (5.8°F), Las Vegas, Nev. (5.8°F), Salt Lake City, Utah (5.5°F), and El Paso, Texas (5.3°F).
• There has been a marked increase in the frequency of unusually hot summer days. 96% of analyzed locations (231) saw an increase in days above their 1991–2020 summer normal temperature, and 58% (140 locations) now experience at least two more weeks of above-normal summer days compared to 1970.
• Excessive heat is the primary cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and can degrade air quality by trapping pollutants, which worsens respiratory issues for people with lung diseases or asthma.
• Heat risks are distributed unequally; children, pregnant people, adults over 65, and those with illnesses are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, people of color and those below the poverty line are disproportionately exposed to urban heat island intensity in 169 of the largest U.S. cities.

APA

Climate Central (2023). 2023 Summer Package. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2023-summer-package

Chicago

Climate Central. 2023 Summer Package. 2023. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2023-summer-package.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=2023 Summer Package |date=31 May 2023 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2023-summer-package |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral20232023, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{2023 Summer Package}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2023-summer-package}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }