2024 has been an extremely hot year for the United States of America. Temperature records have been broken nationwide, and multiple cities have experienced heat waves. More than 130 million Americans are said to be under threat due to the extreme heat this summer.
We have researched online forums and news reports to compile a list of 12 cities that saw their temperature records broken this summer.
El Centro
El Centro is a small city in the Imperial Valley of Southern California. It is situated near the Mexican border and experiences a desert climate, which features hot summers and cold winters. While temperatures commonly go above 100°F in summers, it has rarely experienced a heatwave like this year’s. On July 8, El Centro reached a scorching 120°F.
Las Vegas
Situated in Nevada, Las Vegas is one of the most famous cities in the world. Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” many people visit the city for its casinos, nightlife, and entertainment. However, the city is becoming increasingly hotter. On July 7, Las Vegas hit 120°F, breaking its old record by three degrees. This made July 2024 the hottest month ever in Las Vegas, with temperatures staying over 115°F for seven days in a row.
Palm Strings
As a popular vacation spot in California, Palm Springs is a global tourist hub for its hot springs, golf courses, and beautiful resorts. Despite having hot summers, residents have stated that the heat would be bearable in the mornings and evenings in the past. However, this is not the case now after the city recorded a peak temperature of 124°F during the first week of July, breaking its previous record of 123°F.
Phoenix
Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is the fifth-largest city in the United States. The city is known for its hot weather and landmarks like the Grand Canyon. On July 13, Phoenix reached a temperature of 118°F, breaking its old record by three degrees. Even though there were prior warnings that the city was going to experience some of its most severe and hottest conditions ever, they weren’t prepared for the extent of the heat wave.
Redding
Redding is a city in Northern California known for its beautiful natural sights like Shasta Lake and the Sundial Bridge. The town attracts many visitors for its outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. On July 6, Redding hit a record-breaking 119°F, the hottest temperature ever recorded. The extreme heat has been affecting humans and plants. The region’s iconic Redwood trees have also been struggling with the heat, as they are a coastal plant that requires 50 to 100 inches of rainfall per year. There’s less rainfall happening now, and the Redwood’s needles are turning dry and brown.
Ashland
Situated in Oregon, Ashland is a small city known for its art culture and as the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and filled with galleries and museums. However, homeless people have been suffering from the heat waves this summer, with some restaurant owners even shutting their shops early. Ashland experienced a record-breaking temperature of 111°F on July 6.
Denver
Denver is known as the “Mile-High City” because it sits one mile above sea level. The city is the capital of Colorado and offers an urban lifestyle while also allowing one to experience outdoor activities in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Denver broke its heat record in the first week of July, recording temperatures of 102°F. Reports have stated that the city will continue to face hot weather throughout the summer.
Lancaster
Lancaster is a city in Southern California known for its ties to the aerospace industry. Situated in the Mojave Desert, Lancaster experiences a desert climate with very hot summers. On July 15, the city reached a record high temperature of 115°F, surpassing its previous daily record of 110°F.
Palmdale
Palmdale is a city in California that neighbors Lancaster. Like Lancaster, Palmdale is closely connected to the aerospace industry. In the first week of July, the city recorded a temperature of 114°F, its highest since 1989. Palmdale and Lancaster experienced temperatures of 110°F or higher for a record-breaking six consecutive days.
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and part of the Research Triangle, known for its educational institutions and technology companies. On July 5, Raleigh broke its temperature record by reaching 106°F, one degree hotter than the previous record. The city also recorded a high heat index of 117.8°F, making it feel even hotter. The Raleigh officials announced that their community centers would be open to the public as cooling centers.
Sacramento
Sacramento, California’s capital city, is known for its historic Gold Rush sites and cultural attractions like The Crocker Art Museum. Reminiscent of a Mediterranean climate, the experiences hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Sacramento set multiple daily high-temperature records in July, with the peak reaching 113°F on July 6 and July 11.
Pittsburgh
Home to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh is a city in Pennsylvania known for its rich history in steel production. It’s also famous for its many bridges, rivers, and cultural institutions. This summer, Pittsburgh recorded its highest temperature of 94°F on July 9. To make matters worse, more than 80,000 people in the city also suffered a significant power outage in June due to heavy winds and storms, which left many people without electricity during the heatwave. This made it hard for people to stay relaxed and comfortable.
