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- Currently in Chicago — August 1, 2023: Heat and humidity building back
Currently in Chicago — August 1, 2023: Heat and humidity building back
Plus, July 2023 was the hottest month in at least 120,000 years.
Tim McGill & Eric Holthaus
July 31, 2023
The weather, currently.
Awesome start to August!
Takeaways for Chicago’s weather:
1. Terrific Tuesday
2. More heat coming but nothing extreme
3. Only a few showers and thunderstorms
Tuesday will be terrific with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower to middle 80s. The heat and humidity build a bit for Wednesday and Thursday but nothing extreme. Highs near 90 both days with some scattered showers and thunderstorms possible mainly late Wednesday into Thursday morning. A few more could redevelop Thursday afternoon. More clouds and cooler Friday with highs in the lower 80s. A mix of sun and clouds this weekend with highs in the lower 80s. Cooler lakeside every day except Wednesday.
What you need to know, currently.
The numbers are in, and July 2023 will be the hottest month in recorded history — possibly in at least 120,000 years.
“These are the hottest temperatures in human history,” said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, a division of the European Union.
According to the Berkeley Earth project, the odds are now 81% that this year will end up being the hottest in history. And since we’re in a strengthening El Niño, it’s already nearly certain that 2024 will be hotter than 2023.
I don’t care that it’s the hottest day in 100,000+ years. I care about what we’re doing to stop it from getting hotter and to help those least responsible for causing climate change to adapt.
— David Ho (@_david_ho_)
2:08 PM • Jul 6, 2023
At some level, records like these don’t matter much unless they are tied to stronger efforts to systematically phase out the fossil fuels that are responsible. Only then will meaningful climate action be possible.
Currently’s sister publication, The Phoenix, has published a list today of how each one of us can ramp up efforts to connect these climate disasters with the need for profound social change.
What you can do, currently.
Currently is now a member of the Covering Climate Now partnership, a resource-sharing initiative devoted to making sure the biggest story in human history is told in ways that resonate with everyone.
Take a look at the list of our new partners and maybe find a new favorite podcast or website to support!