Jul 9, 2024 - News

1 heat wave chart to go

Annalise Frank

Bar chart showing change in the average length of heat waves in 50 major U.S. metro areas from 1961 to 2023. Overall, heat waves in big cities are getting 1.4 days longer, with the greatest increases in New Orleans (4.5 days longer), followed by Fort Worth, Texas (4 days) and Salt Lake City (3.7 days). In Detroit, heat waves have gotten 1.1 days longer. — Data: EPA; Note: Includes 50 most populated metros; New York City, Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Denver were excluded for incomplete data in this period; Chart: Axios Visuals

Heat waves are getting longer, more frequent and more intense across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, according to EPA data.

Zoom in: Between 1961 and last year, Metro Detroit's heat waves saw less of an increase in length (+1.1 days) than the total 50-metro average (+1.4 days).

We also lag the cities getting hit the hardest, including New Orleans and Fort Worth, Texas.

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1 heat wave chart to go

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