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Study: Northwest heat wave impossible without climate change

Pacific Heat Wave Climate
Posted at 1:24 PM, Jul 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-08 15:24:34-04

A quick scientific study finds that the recent deadly heat wave in the Pacific Northwest would be virtually impossible without climate change.

Wednesday's study from a team of international scientists says the chance of the record-smashing heat experienced in late June was at least 150 times more likely because of fossil fuel emissions. It is still a once-in-a-millennium event now.

But scientists warn that it will happen every five to 10 years or so around mid-century if carbon pollution continues. The study also finds that climate change added 3.6 degrees to the heat. The study is not yet peer reviewed.