Hot Heatwave 2021 Summer Questions. Is it That Hot?

A megadrought is a period of extreme dryness that lasts for decades. There may be occasional better, wet years within that period, but the dryness soon returns, and drought maintains its long-term grip.

Does the US suffer a megadrought?

For the US Southwest — including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of California, Colorado, and New Mexico — the megadrought has lasted two decades - as bad as or worse than long-lasting droughts in the region over the past 1,200 years.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state’s electric grid, put out the call on Monday, June 28, 2021, for people to conserve electricity, asking them to set thermostats to 78°F (25°C) or higher, turn off lights and avoid using large appliances. The California Flex alert features the same recommendations.

The year 2020 is tied with 2016 for the warmest year on record since record-keeping began in 1880. Nineteen of the warmest years have occurred since 2000, except for 1998. The record warmth fueled deadly heatwaves, droughts, intense wildfires, and other environmental disasters worldwide in 2020.

Portland International Airport in Oregon hit a new record high temperature of 115°F (46°C) on Monday, June 28, 2021., breaking Sunday’s June 27, 2021, record high temperature of 112°F (44°C) and Saturday’s June 26, 2021, of 108°F (42°C). Records began in 1940.

What was the last time Portland had record-breaking temperatures?

Before 2021 the warmest temperature on record at the Portland International Airport was 107°F (41.6°C) set in July 1965 & twice in Aug 1981.

On Monday evening, Jun 28, 2021, Seattle reached a new record high temperature of 108°F (42°C), according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Monday’s heat marks the third consecutive day of more than 100 degrees as most of the Northwest continues to suffer excessive heat.