The devastating storm on June 29 leaving millions of Americans without electricity in scorching heat well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit was not a unique event. The massive windstorm with hundreds of thunderstorms accompanied by numerous tornados hit large areas of America’ Midwest up to the East coast, roughly 1000 km. It’s what meterologists call a derecho, the Mexican term for “straight ahead”. The 29 June 2012 derecho has to be considered one of the most destructive in North American history. Before the weather front stroke, temperatures south to it reached record highs of 109 degrees in Nashville, Tennessee, and 104 in Washington D.C., for example. And the extreme weather continues. Many Americans have cancelled today’s Intependence Day celebrations.

Global warming is characterized by greater areas of local weather extremes. This is no dream, this is really happening. NASA provides monthly updates of surface temperature anomalies (see picture below). Two years ago, the devastating heat wave in Russia raised much concerns. Both 2010 and 2011 were among the hottest years on record.

Global warming continues irrespective of wet and cold summers in other parts of the world, for instance in the place I’ve chosen to live.

July 4, 2012 @ 15:07

Last modified July 4, 2012.