2024: Chicago and Global Heat Records Shatter, Economic Impact Skyrockets
January 14, 2025
In 2024, Chicago and the globe experienced unprecedented heat, marking it as the hottest year on record with global temperatures soaring 2.77 degrees above the baseline average.
The annual average temperature in the United States was recorded at 3.5 degrees above the 20th-century average, surpassing the previous record set in 2012.
Notably, all eight of the warmest years in U.S. history have occurred since 2012, underscoring a troubling trend of rising temperatures.
A total of 76 out of 243 U.S. cities monitored by Climate Central reported their hottest year on record in 2024, with notable mentions including Detroit, Houston, and Minneapolis.
Chicago specifically recorded temperatures that were record-setting in 2024, while also experiencing conditions that were 8% drier than historical averages.
The economic ramifications of climate change were stark, with weather-related disasters in the United States costing approximately $27 billion in 2024.
Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center forecasts above-average temperatures and drier conditions for the southern half of the continental U.S. in early 2025.
Conversely, the High Plains to the northwest Pacific are expected to see below-average temperatures coupled with above-normal precipitation, while Chicago may face equal chances of temperature variations but with above-average precipitation in the form of rain or snow.
Summary based on 1 source
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CBS Chicago • Jan 14, 2025
2024 was officially Chicago's hottest year on record. Here are the statistics.