48 °C (118 °F), recorded at San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional, Oaxaca, Mexico, on 26 May 2024
Losses
Deaths
248+ 155+ (Mexico) 93+ (United States)
Injuries
2,567+ (Mexico)
Beginning in March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern and Western United States, and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records,[1] mass deaths of animals from several threatened species, water shortages requiring rationing,[2] increased forest fires, and over 155 deaths in Mexico with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments.[3] Another 93 people were killed in the United States.[4]
Mexico
The hot season in Mexico began on 17 March 2024.[5] In May 2024, a heat dome formed over the Southern Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, which led to record high temperatures being recorded in 10 cities in Mexico.[1]Mexico City recorded a record high temperature of 34.7 °C (94.46 °F) on 25 May 2024.[2]San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional recorded a temperature of 48 °C (118.4 °F) on 26 May 2024, the highest recorded temperature in the state of Oaxaca.[6] The persistently high temperatures combined with seasonally lighter rainfall in the area led to increased risks of future water shortages, as well as power blackouts in part due to lowered water levels leading to decreased energy production from hydroelectric dams.[2] At least 155 deaths due to heat were reported, with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments including heat stroke and dehydration.[3]
At least 157 howler monkeys in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas died due to the prolonged excessive heat and resulting dehydration.[1] At least 100 parrots, toucans, bats, and other animals housed in the Selva Teenek eco-park in the state of San Luis Potosí also succumbed to dehydration.
United States
Southern Texas was struck with a heatwave starting on 25 May 2024, leading to numerous record breaking high temperatures recorded on 26 May 2024 in Del Rio at 112 °F (44.4 °C), Brownsville at 98 °F (36.7 °C) tied with the prior record set in 1928, and McAllen at 103 °F (39.4 °C).[7] The heatwave also broke temperature high records in several cities in Florida on 26 May 2024, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale at 96 °F (35.6 °C), West Palm Beach at 95 °F (35 °C), and tied a 1989 heat record in Winter Haven at 98 °F (36.7 °C). More heat records were broken on 27 May 2024 in Melbourne and Fort Pierce at 98 °F (36.7 °C).[citation needed]
On 4 June 2024, a heat dome moved into California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, which National Weather Service meteorologists predict will lead to >100°F and potential record-breaking temperatures across California's Central Valley and Southern desert regions, far Southern Nevada, Southern Arizona, and Southern Texas by 6 June 2024. The National Weather Service predicted that by 7 June 2024, the heat wave would expand to the north and east into areas of Oregon, Colorado, Washington, and Idaho, and stated that temperature records could be set in multiple cities in this region. The National Weather Service further predicted that wildfires could easily and quickly spread in these areas due to the combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and wind gusts, especially in California.[8]
On 21 June, it was reported that 93 people died in Phoenix, Arizona, due to the heat, of which 87 were still under investigation.[4]
Central America
InGuatemala, outdoor activities were suspended in Guatemala City schools due to the increased risk of heat stroke.[9]
InHonduras, Northern regions including San Pedro Sula had blackouts caused by transformer failures due to the increased prolonged heat.[10]
