Unnoticed Meteorological Milestones of 2024 Uncovered
In 2024, North America experienced a unique meteorological phenomenon, with the continent witnessing one of the wettest years on record and some of the warmest temperatures since temperature records began in 1900.
The year was marked by an unprecedented level of rainfall, with numerous regions experiencing continuous precipitation throughout the year. This has led to 2024 being the least sunny year in three decades, with such a parade of rainy disturbances that sunshine became a rare sight. Statistically speaking, 2024 truly was the gloomiest year in three decades, as sunshine deficits were recorded almost every month, especially in the northern half of the country.
The United States, in particular, experienced one of the wettest years on record, with over 40 inches of average rainfall nationwide. Some regions, like Louisiana, received substantially above-average amounts—71.25 inches, nearly 14.4 inches above its historical average. This excessive rainfall resulted in many cities experiencing severe flooding, with many cities in the United States, including New York and Miami, shattering their annual rainfall records.
The key factors contributing to this record-breaking rainfall include increased precipitation levels, atmospheric rivers, saturated soils prior to storms, global warming and climate change, and regional disparities. Atmospheric rivers, long, narrow bands of moisture from the subtropics, are major drivers of heavy rain and flooding on the U.S. West Coast. Their occurrence and intensity are linked with persistent weather patterns that allow these moisture rivers to pour into a region. Wet soils cannot absorb much more water, causing runoff to increase flood risk dramatically.
Rising global temperatures have intensified the frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall events. Warming increases atmospheric moisture content and can also alter weather patterns to make storms more persistent and intense, enhancing extreme precipitation and flood risks. This human-driven climate change, combined with natural atmospheric phenomena, has elevated flood risks across North America.
While some areas have seen heavy precipitation, others, such as Nevada, remained dry, indicating an uneven distribution of rainfall and persistent drought conditions in parts of the U.S., which can interplay with wet regions in complex ways.
Despite the gloomy weather, 2024 ranks among the five warmest years since temperature records began in 1900. The provisional average temperature was about 57°F with an anomaly of +1°F compared to the norm from 1991-2020. The year 2024 was also among the five warmest years since temperature records began, making it a year of extreme weather conditions across North America.
The weather in 2024 surprised everyone, including meteorologists, climatologists, and the entire global populace. The record-breaking rainfall and warm temperatures have underscored the need for continued research and action to address the impacts of climate change on weather patterns and to mitigate the risks of future extreme weather events.
Science has revealed a correlation between the 2024 weather patterns and climate change, as the record-breaking rainfall and warm temperatures can be attributed to the intensified frequency and magnitude of extreme precipitation events due to global warming. This unprecedented weather, particularly in the realm of environmental-science and climate-change studies, underscores the urgent need for further research and action to address the effects of climate change on both the weather and the environment.
