History-making heat could be on the horizon for the nation if the current climate outlook rings true this summer.
Forecasters say the continental U.S. could set records for the hottest summer months ever recorded, and it’s likely that those high temperatures will prove deadly for some.
About 2,302 heat-related deaths were recorded last year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Among the factors contributing to the spike in temperatures: uncommonly hot waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean all along the country’s eastern coast. Those heated waters are already raising temps and humidity along the Gulf Coast.
In fact, only southwestern Alaska is projected to have cooler temperatures than usual this summer.
With the current El Niño weather event making the transition into La Niña as an additional factor, forecasters say temperatures this summer could rival those seen in 2021, according to a report by Axios.