Fact Check: "June 2023 is set to be the hottest June on record."
What We Know
In June 2023, the United States experienced significant heat, with approximately 240 million people reporting temperatures at least a degree warmer than average. Only about 9 million people experienced cooler-than-average conditions during this month. Notably, 44 states and Washington D.C. recorded above-average low temperatures, indicating a lack of relief from heat during the nights (Washington Post).
Additionally, cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic set or tied records for high temperatures, with Baltimore reaching 104°F and Newark hitting 101°F (New York Times). The month was characterized by a heat dome that trapped hot air, leading to prolonged periods of high temperatures across the eastern United States (New York Times).
The combination of high temperatures and humidity resulted in dangerous heat index values, with some areas experiencing heat indices exceeding 115°F (Washington Post). This unusual weather pattern was attributed to high-pressure systems and tropical air masses moving in from the Caribbean (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that June 2023 is set to be the hottest June on record is partially true. While there is substantial evidence that June 2023 was significantly hotter than average and that many records were set, definitive confirmation that it is the hottest June on record requires comprehensive data from all weather stations across the country.
The sources cited provide strong indicators of extreme heat, including record-breaking temperatures in major cities and widespread reports of above-average temperatures across the nation (New York Times, Washington Post). However, the term "hottest June on record" implies a comparison with historical data, which is not fully addressed in the available sources.
For instance, while the AccuWeather report mentions that over 2800 high-temperature records were set during this heat wave, it does not explicitly confirm that June 2023 surpassed all previous Junies in terms of average temperatures. The National Weather Service and other meteorological organizations typically compile and verify such records, and their official assessments would be necessary to definitively label June 2023 as the hottest on record.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim "June 2023 is set to be the hottest June on record" is Partially True. While there is significant evidence indicating that June 2023 was exceptionally hot and that many records were broken, the assertion that it is definitively the hottest June requires further verification against historical data from all weather stations.
