4WARN WEATHER – Last month was the warmest July in 175 years on Earth, but in Michigan it was actually cooler than normal.
Global average monthly temperatures have been at their highest on record for 14 consecutive months. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global average surface temperature in July was 2.18°C higher than the 20th century average of 60.4°C. Africa, Asia and Europe experienced their hottest July on record, and the United States recorded its second-hottest July.
So where does Michigan fit into this record-breaking global heat pattern? Before answering that question, let me explain a bit about the difference between weather and climate.
Weather describes the short-term state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, while climate refers to the average condition of a region over a longer period of time. Think of it this way: Weather changes in minutes or hours, but climate changes over decades and even centuries. This is important because a series of days that are cooler than normal can lead people to suspect that the Earth is warming. Conversely, a series of very hot days can lead some to believe that it is a sign of global warming. These are examples of weather on specific days:
We're talking about climate and measuring temperature and other data over very long periods of time.
While it was the warmest July on record for the globe, the Detroit area was actually a bit cooler than normal for the month. The average high temperature for July was 82.7 degrees, compared to an average of 83.7 degrees. This makes July 2024 the 71st warmest month on record.
In fact, there was only one day when the temperature was over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This may come as a surprise since we had some very warm days towards the end of the month. However, that was due to humidity, not temperature. The temperature was in the 80s, but with a dew point in the low 70s, it felt like it was over 90 degrees for a few days. However, the temperature was actually below 90 degrees.
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