Solonsax (@Solonsax)

Combing through reports from more than 1,200 weather stations across the United States, former University of Alabama climatologist John Christy’s analysis challenges a commonly held belief that extreme high temperatures have become more prevalent. According to his report, published this spring in the academic journal Theoretical and Applied Climatology, the data don’t show an increase in extreme temperatures; rather, they indicate that temperatures have become more moderate over the past century. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that average temperatures have risen by 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850 and that this increase has accelerated in recent decades. According to NOAA, the year 2024 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850, and the 10 warmest years during this period all occurred during the decade from 2015 to 2024. Regarding the cause, NOAA said that “Earth’s average surface temperature has been rising because human-produced greenhouse gases are causing Earth to absorb more energy than it radiates back to space.” Christy’s study, however, indicates that, far from an increase in extreme weather, there has been an overall moderating of temperatures in the United States. In contrast to NOAA’s assessment, Christy’s analysis indicates fewer extreme high temperatures and extreme low temperatures since 1899. Christy’s analysis indicates that the period with the most extreme high temperatures was the 1930s, not recent decades as is often reported. Instances of extreme heat have not increased significantly over the past century, Christy stated, and there are fewer cases of extreme cold. “If your political view is that extremes are getting worse and worse, that’s almost a religion, so you can’t really change minds on that,” Christy said. Christy believes it’s difficult for academics who question the prevailing narratives on climate to secure grants or be published. https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/climatologist-says-a-century-of-weather-data-contradicts-claims-of-record-heat-6072358