Unforgettable Summers: 70 Million East Coast Americans Experience Record-Setting Humidity This June and July

This summer has been one of the muggiest on record for over 70 million Americans in the Eastern United States. Recent data shows that humidity levels are noticeably higher here, making nights uncomfortably warm and even dangerous for some.

According to the National Weather Service, 27 states, along with Washington, D.C., have seen a record number of days categorized as “uncomfortable,” meaning the average dew point reached at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cities like Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore faced extreme levels of humidity, with some days recording dew points over 75 degrees—a level deemed oppressive by meteorologists.

This increase in humidity isn’t just a seasonal change; it’s a long-term trend influenced by climate change. The average dew points in major cities like Washington, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh have risen by at least 6 degrees compared to averages from 1951 to 2020. Eastern U.S. humidity levels this summer have surpassed anything recorded since measurements began in 1950.

“This has been a very muggy summer,” says Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at Climate Central. Experts like Cameron Lee, a climate scientist at Kent State University, have even measured dew points of around 82 degrees, sheer evidence of how sticky conditions have become. “Parts of the U.S. are experiencing not only more humid days but also longer sticky seasons,” Lee explains. Interestingly, the eastern U.S. has seen about a 2.5-degree rise in summer dew points since 1950, which has had a profound impact on daily life.

Higher humidity prevents the air from cooling down at night, contributing to record-breaking overnight temperatures across states like North Carolina and New York. “What really impacts the body is that nighttime temperature,” says Zack Taylor, from the National Weather Service. For those without air conditioning, this can be particularly exhausting.

Recent statistics highlight a worrying trend: ultra-sticky days that used to happen infrequently now occur several times each summer. This has wide-reaching implications for public health. With humidity and heat feeding off each other, the atmosphere holds more moisture as temperatures rise—about 4% more for every degree Fahrenheit of warming.

Regions that typically enjoyed a cooler climate are now starting to face the same oppressive conditions. “Uncomfortable humidity is moving north,” explains Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia. “Summers now are not your grandparents’ summers.”

These changes call for a reassessment of how we approach summer heat and humidity. As our environments change, so must our understanding and coping strategies for dealing with extreme weather. For more information on climate and humidity, check the [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov) and [Climate Central](https://www.climatecentral.org).

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climate change,Heat