Scientists are surprised not only how record-settingly hot September 2023 was, but also by the large margin of increase (0.5C hotter than previous record). Apparently, surprised scientists use odd phrases.
Excerpt:
Global temperatures soared to a new record in September by a huge margin, stunning scientists and leading one to describe it as “absolutely gobsmackingly bananas”.
The hottest September on record follows the hottest August and hottest July, with the latter being the hottest month ever recorded. The high temperatures have driven heatwaves and wildfires across the world.
September 2023 beat the previous record for that month by 0.5C, the largest jump in temperature ever seen. September was about 1.8C warmer than pre-industrial levels. Datasets from European and Japanese scientists confirm the leap.
I totally believe the stats. My AC bill went sky-high. I expect one more. Then heating bills. Lord.
I saw Gobsmackingly Bananas when they opened for the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.
In my area (near Spokane, WA), September was on the colder than normal side. I think we had 3 days over 80, a couple weeks of glorious in the 70s, but the end had some in the 50s. We didn’t need AC but we did have to turn on the furnace a few times when the parents were visiting.
Here’s a less exciting article on the same topic:
The video at the top has captions running over it which include the horrifying “fact” that the average Jan-Sep temperature is up 34°F since 1940.
The only thing funnier than Americans who have zero idea about metric/SI and therefore totally bolix up a units conversion and don’t recognize their mistake are Europeans who have no idea about US Customary units and make the same mistake.
The correct number of course is 3.4°F. Which is still a lot on a planetary scale. I think we can all agree that 34F (roughly 19°C) of extra heat would be too much for anyone / everyone. Oceans would not be boiling, but they would be steaming in a lot of places, etc.