This just in from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
According to NOAA scientists, the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during May was 64.3°F, 3.3°F above the long-term average, making it the second warmest May on record. The month’s high temperatures also contributed to the warmest spring, warmest year-to-date, and warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.
The spring season’s (March-May) nationally averaged temperature was 57.1°F, 5.2°F above the 1901-2000 long-term average, surpassing the previous warmest spring (1910) by 2.0°F.
Data like this is why I don’t use the term climate “skeptic.” Who could rationally process America being five degrees above normal and shattering the record for hottest spring by two full degrees and think, “Meh, I’m not yet convinced”? This is what a climate crisis looks like, and if you can’t accept that, you’re denying reality.
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