How climate change has powered the heat wave blanketing much of the U.S.
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Climate scientists attribute current U.S. heat dome to human-caused climate change rather than isolated weather event.
AI Summary
A heat dome spreading across much of the United States this month has driven temperatures to historic levels, with climate scientists attributing the severity to human-caused climate change rather than treating it as an isolated weather event. The U.S. has experienced a series of extreme weather events in recent weeks, underscoring a pattern that researchers link to warming global temperatures. Correspondent Ali Rogin interviewed Bernadette Woods Placky of Climate Central to explore the connection between climate change and the current heat wave for the "Tipping Point" series. The reporting examines how shifting climate conditions are intensifying dangerous heat events that pose risks to public health, infrastructure, and agriculture.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
EnvironmentA Record-Breaking Spring Heat Wave Is Making Its Way Across the U.S. Here's What To Know
A March heat wave brought soaring temperatures the western U.S. Now it's moving east. Here's how climate change may be fueling it.
Environment‘The threat is here’: searing US heatwave bad news for wildfire season and water supply
<p>Experts say brutal temperatures in west threaten to melt sparse snowpack – and warn hot, dry conditions here to stay</p><p>A stunning heatwave that shattered records in the US west is threatening to rapidly melt the sparse snowpack and ramp up wildfire risks in the seasons ahead.</p><p>March has already been historically hot<em>,</em> but the early onset of summer weather across the region may be here to stay. There’s little reprieve in forecasts, which show more heat records may fall this spring.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/24/heatwave-west-climate-crisis-wildfires">Continue reading...</a>
EnvironmentThe US likely set an all-time heat record for March. Yes, it’s climate change - CNN
EnvironmentEarth hit record heat levels in 2025 as UN says warming will last thousands of years
Earth’s heat-trapping levels hit a record in 2025, with impacts expected to persist for thousands of years, the United Nations warned on Monday. The World Meteorological Organisation said the 11 warmest years on record occurred between 2015 and 2025, underscoring global warming in its State of the Global Climate report.
EnvironmentClimate change fuels spread of dangerous Aspergillus fungus
Aspergillus fungus can cause economic damage to crops and dangerous infections in people.
Government TransparencyWill ICE Change Under Its New Leader?
Markwayne Mullin, the new homeland security secretary, has promised a different approach, but how much change is likely? Our reporter Hamed Aleaziz describes what we know.
What the historic snow drought means for water, wildfires and the future of the West
The 2026 water year has been anything but ordinary. In fact, its snow drought has few parallels in recent history.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
Pentagon's limits on press access unconstitutional, US judge rules - Reuters
The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires
Washington ignores America's fiscal cliff
