Remember when summers weren’t this hot? It certainly seems that way.
To test this notion, we turned to Climate Central, an organization comprised of scientists and journalists dedicated to studying climate change. They analyzed summer temperatures in Tampa dating back to 1940, and we compiled the results into a table below. This allows you to compare the summer temperatures from your youth with those of today.
Many people suspect that it has become hotter since the days of playing in the park or attending summer camp. Just last Sunday, the Earth recorded its hottest day ever. That record was surpassed again on Monday, and while a slight temperature drop on Tuesday made it the world’s second-hottest day, the trend is clear.
In Tampa, the difference over the decades is evident, especially when looking at the average low temperatures. Eighty years ago, summer lows were typically in the low 70s, offering cooler mornings and evenings. Nowadays, average lows only drop to about 77 or 78 degrees.
Health experts warn that warmer nights can be dangerous as they prevent homes and bodies from cooling down sufficiently.
The average high temperature has also seen a slight upward trend over the years. The hottest summers in recent memory were in 2022 and 2023, when average high temperatures between June and August exceeded 92 degrees. Time will tell if the summer of 2024 will set new records.
Use the searchable table below to see how hot summers were when you were born or growing up and how they compare to recent years.
If you’re having trouble viewing the table, click or tap here to open it in a new window.
Since April 2023, the planet has been on a “hot streak”, according to Climate Central, with each month setting new global temperature records.
Out of 230 cities analyzed by Climate Central, 95% have experienced hotter summers since 1970. The “urban heat island” effect can further intensify the heat in certain neighborhoods. WFLA initially published the story.
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