Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Feeling Sticky This Summer? Record Humidity Strikes East of the Rockies
  • Local news

Feeling Sticky This Summer? Record Humidity Strikes East of the Rockies

    Feel sticky this summer? That's because it's been record muggy East of the Rockies
    Up next
    Understanding Israel’s Strategy for Gaza City: What We Know and What’s Uncertain
    Published on 10 August 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • because,
    • been,
    • Bernadette Woods Placky,
    • Climate,
    • East,
    • Environment,
    • feel,
    • health,
    • it039s,
    • muggy,
    • record,
    • Rockies,
    • science,
    • sticky,
    • summer,
    • that039s,
    • The,
    • this,
    • U.S. news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    Over 70 million people across America endured the stickiest start to summer in history. Climate change is increasingly impacting humidity levels in the Eastern United States, as revealed by an Associated Press data review.

    And that meant uncomfortably warm and potentially dangerous nights in many cities the last several weeks, the National Weather Service said.

    In June and July, parts of 27 states plus Washington, D.C., experienced a record high number of uncomfortable days, defined by meteorologists as having average daily dew points of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above, according to the Copernicus Climate Service data.

    And that’s not just the average. Across much of the East, humidity surged to almost tropical levels at times. Philadelphia experienced 29 days, Washington recorded 27 days, and Baltimore had 24 days where dew points hit at least 75 degrees, which even the Tampa weather service office considers oppressive, based on weather service data.

    Dew point indicates air moisture levels and is considered by many meteorologists as the best description of humidity. This summer, cities like Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Columbus, and St. Louis recorded average dew points 6 degrees higher than the 1951-2020 normals, the AP found. Across the nation east of the Rockies, June and July humidity averaged over 66 degrees, the highest since 1950.

    “This has been a very muggy summer. The humid heat has been way up,” said Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at Climate Central.

    Twice this summer, Cameron Lee, a climate scientist and humidity expert at Kent State University, recorded dew points around 82 degrees at his Ohio weather station, levels that surpass the usual weather service charts describing dew point effects.

    “Certain areas in the United States are witnessing not just higher average humidity, especially during spring and summer, but also more intensely humid days,” Lee noted. He added that these extremely sticky conditions are now spreading over more days and wider areas.

    High humidity doesn’t allow the air to cool at night as much as it usually does, and the stickiness contributed to multiple nighttime temperature records from the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic and up and down coastal states, said Zack Taylor, forecast operations chief at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, Virginia Beach, Va., and Wilmington, N.C., all reached records for the hottest overnight lows. New York City, Columbus, Atlanta, Richmond, Knoxville, Tennessee and Concord, New Hampshire came close, he said.

    “What really impacts the body is that nighttime temperature,” Taylor said. “So if there’s no cooling at night or if there’s a lack of cooling it doesn’t allow your body to cool off and recover from what was probably a really hot afternoon. And so when you start seeing that over several days, that can really wear out the body, especially of course if you don’t have access to cooling centers or air conditioning.”

    An extra hot and rainy summer weather pattern is combining with climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, Woods Placky said.

    The area east of the Rockies has on average gained about 2.5 degrees in summer dew point since 1950, the AP analysis of Copernicus data shows. In the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and part of the 1990s, the eastern half of the country had an average dew point in the low 60s, what the weather service calls noticeable but OK. In four of the last six years that number has been near and even over the uncomfortable line of 65.

    “It’s huge,” Lee said of the 75-year trend. “This is showing a massive increase over a relatively short period of time.”

    That seemingly small increase in average dew points really means the worst ultra-sticky days that used to happen once a year, now happen several times a summer, which is what affects people, Lee said.

    Higher humidity and heat feed on each other. A basic law of physics is that the atmosphere holds an extra 4% more water for every degree Fahrenheit (7% for every degree Celsius) warmer it gets, meteorologists said.

    For most of the summer, the Midwest and East were stuck under either incredibly hot high pressure systems, which boosted temperatures, or getting heavy and persistent rain in amounts much higher than average, Taylor said. What was mostly missing was the occasional cool front that pushes out the most oppressive heat and humidity. That finally came in August and brought relief, he said.

    Humidity varies by region. The West is much drier. The South gets more 65-degree dew points in the summer than the North. But that’s changing.

    University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd said uncomfortable humidity is moving further north, into places where people are less used to it.

    Summers now, he said, “are not your grandparents’ summers.”

    ___

    Borenstein reported from Washington and Wildeman reported from Hartford, Connecticut.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Trump says he will order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore despite local opposition
    • Local news

    Trump Plans Federal Intervention in Chicago and Baltimore, Ignoring Local Pushback

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to send…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Champaign County advocates voice concerns about SNAP cuts
    • Local news

    Advocates in Champaign County Express Worries Over SNAP Program Reductions

    URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Advocates for food security in Champaign County are…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Rudy Giuliani leaves the hospital after being injured in a car crash in New Hampshire
    • Local news

    Rudy Giuliani Discharged from Hospital Following Car Accident Injuries in New Hampshire

    Rudy Giuliani has been discharged from the hospital and is “progressing well”…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Cardi B cleared of assault allegations in civil trial
    • Local news

    Cardi B Wins Civil Trial, Found Not Guilty of Assault Charges

    In a civil trial that generated a series of viral moments, a…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Utah man accused of messaging undercover officer he believed was a child
    • Local news

    Utah resident charged with contacting an undercover cop posing as a minor

    Content warning: This article discusses alleged child exploitation. Reader discretion is advised.…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst announces she won't seek 2026 reelection
    • Local news

    Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa Announces Decision Not to Seek Reelection in 2026

    Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) formally announced in a video on Tuesday that…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    'Woke' test for new Oklahoma teachers  impossible to fail
    • Local news

    Oklahoma Teachers’ ‘Woke’ Exam Deemed Unfailable

    OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) – A newly introduced 34-question evaluation intended to filter…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    ‘Another scumbag fraud artist:’ North Carolina man scams Volusia County woman out of $30K, sheriff says
    • Local news

    ‘Con Artist in North Carolina Deceives Volusia County Woman Out of $30K, Sheriff Reports’

    VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man from North Carolina, aged 56, is…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025

    New World Record for Kickball Set in Georgia

    ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) – A Georgia nonprofit was in action over Labor…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Actor Graham Greene, Known for ‘Dances With Wolves,’ Dies at 73
    • Local news

    Graham Greene, Actor in ‘Dances With Wolves,’ Passes Away at 73

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Illinois State Police announce nighttime enforcement patrol results
    • Local news

    Illinois State Police Reveal Outcomes of Nighttime Patrol Enforcement

    CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Almost 30 individuals were cited or arrested in…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    'Succession' actor Nicholas Braun arrested for DUI in New Hampshire
    • Local news

    Nicholas Braun from ‘Succession’ Arrested for DUI in New Hampshire

    “Succession” actor Nicholas Braun was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Powerball drawing today: Jackpot nears record with $1.3 billion for tonight's drawing
    • US

    Powerball Jackpot Reaches Thrilling $1.3 Billion for Tonight’s Drawing

    The Powerball jackpot for the upcoming Wednesday night draw has ballooned to…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Woman accused of stalking two men, faking pregnancy and demanding money
    • Crime

    Woman Charged with Harassing Two Men, Pretending to Be Pregnant, and Extorting Money

    A Gold Coast woman has been accused of stalking two men she…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Poll: What Americans think of Trump's megabill
    • World News

    Americans Become Skeptical of Trump’s Spending Plan; White House Claims Families Will Save ‘Thousands’

    President Donald Trump’s handling of the budget has taken a big hit…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Free speech laws 'need to be looked at' after Graham Linehan's arrest over 'anti-trans' tweets, Wes Streeting says
    • Celeb News

    Wes Streeting Calls for Review of Free Speech Laws Following Graham Linehan’s Arrest for ‘Anti-Trans’ Tweets

    Wes Streeting has suggested the Government could change free speech laws after Graham…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.