Is This Summer Getting Hotter? What the Trends Say

Everyone keeps saying how brutal this summer feels, but are temperatures actually climbing higher than before? Summer temperatures rising isn't just your imagination - weather scientists have tracked these changes for decades, and the numbers tell a pretty clear story.

Climate change effects show up most obviously during summer months when heat records get smashed year after year. The data reveals that average summer temperatures have climbed steadily since the 1970s, with the steepest jumps happening in recent decades.

The Numbers Tell the Truth

Global warming trends become obvious when scientists examine temperature records from weather stations nationwide. Since 1895, average summer temperature in America has increased by about 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit. That might not sound like much, but it makes a huge difference in how hot summer days actually feel.

Phoenix shows exactly how temperature records have shifted over time. During the 1960s, the city typically saw about 18 days yearly with temperatures hitting 110°F or higher. By the 2010s, that number jumped to over 30 days annually. Residents noticed their air conditioning bills climbing right along with thermometer readings.