The past week has seen much of the United States sweltering under unusually high temperatures, with the average American experiencing daily highs of 87.9°F. This is not just your typical summer heat - it represents a significant 2.4°F above normal temperatures and a striking 2.9°F increase compared to the same period last year.
The West Coast has been particularly hard hit by this heatwave. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, CA saw temperatures a whopping 20.7°F higher than last year, with average highs reaching 90.3°F. Monterey-Salinas, CA experienced a 19.4°F year-over-year increase, averaging 87.1°F. Further north, Eugene, OR recorded an average high of 95.5°F, and Medford-Klamath Falls, OR hit 100.1°F, both over 16°F higher than normal.
California's Central Valley hasn't been spared either. Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto recorded temperatures 12.2°F above normal and 18.1°F higher than last year, with average highs soaring to 103.8°F.
The desert Southwest is feeling the burn too. Las Vegas, NV reported temperatures 12.4°F above normal and 11.9°F higher than last year, with average highs reaching a scorching 110.9°F. Phoenix, AZ saw temperatures 6.1°F above normal, averaging 110.3°F and continuing a trend of extreme heat in the region.
While not as extreme as the West, the East Coast is also experiencing above-normal temperatures. Washington D.C. recorded temperatures 7°F above normal and 5.8°F higher than last year, with average highs of 93.4°F. New York City saw temperatures 3.8°F above normal and 2.9°F higher than last year, averaging 87°F.
The Midwest shows a more varied picture, with some areas experiencing above-normal temperatures while others remain closer to average. Chicago, for instance, saw temperatures only slightly above normal (0.2°F), with average highs of 79.1°F. Minneapolis-St. Paul experienced temperatures 3.4°F below normal but still slightly above last year's temperatures, averaging 77.6°F.
Parts of the South have actually seen temperatures closer to or even below normal. Houston, TX recorded temperatures 0.7°F below normal and 2.3°F lower than last year, with average highs of 90.8°F. Similarly, New Orleans, LA saw temperatures 0.4°F above normal but 1.4°F lower than last year, averaging 88.2°F.
The heatwave is driving significant changes in consumer behavior. The Notus AI engine shows notable weather driven shifts in online interest for summer-related items, in varied product categories such as shorts and grass seed, though the patterns differ markedly.
For shorts, the trend closely follows the temperature increases. As expected areas experiencing more significant heat show higher interest in shorts. This pattern is particularly pronounced in regions like the West Coast and parts of the East Coast, where temperature increases have been most dramatic.
In contrast, the grass seed map reveals a more complex picture. Generally, there's a decline in interest as temperatures increase, possibly due to concerns about lawn viability in extreme heat. However, this trend isn't uniform across all regions, pointing to the influence of additional factors beyond just temperature.
The varied pattern in grass seed interest likely stems from regional differences in precipitation, local landscaping trends, and specific climate conditions, all of which the Notus AI engine can pick up on. For instance, areas experiencing drought might see decreased interest in traditional grass seeds, while regions with ample rainfall might maintain more stable interest levels. Some areas might even show increased interest in drought-resistant varieties as a response to changing climate conditions.
Looking ahead, the temperature trend for the average American continues to be above normal for the coming days. Let's take a look at the last 7 and next 7 days:
Temperatures are expected to remain significantly above normal for the next two weeks. The heat wave appears to intensify, with the anomaly peaking around July 14th and 15th, where temperatures are forecasted to be more than 4°F above normal.
There is some relief on the horizon, you can see a sharp shift as we go out to July 18th. Our longer term models show the weekend after next to be quite a bit cooler.
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