October in the West begins with scorching temperatures due to record heat

It is expected that hot conditions will continue over the next few days, with dozens of heat records potentially being set in various states from California to Colorado. This warm start to October follows a summer of extreme temperatures, with both Arizona and California experiencing their warmest summers on record in 2024 according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The persistence of extreme heat is attributed to climate change, with studies indicating that as the planet warms, heat waves will become more frequent, intense, and longer lasting. This trend is likely to continue in the future, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change to mitigate its impact on extreme weather events like heat waves.

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