Summers in Charlotte continue to trend warmer, dry spells are lasting longer, and as communities learn about new challenges to come, they are already grappling with dramatic changes in climate trends.
Much of Mecklenburg County emerged from drought conditions this month. After experiencing a severe, prolonged drought not seen since 2007, conditions reached exceptional drought — the highest classification, D4 — in April. Much of the county is now classified as abnormally dry, or D0, the lowest classification.
The drought disrupted activities such as watering lawns and washing vehicles at home — restrictions that remain in effect under Charlotte’s mandatory water rules — and affected ecosystems and the economy. Local farms and regional crops faced significant stress from dry soils, while lake levels fell below target and burn bans increased.
Extreme heat also affected the city, as communities worked to expand tree canopies and pursue other solutions to help residents cope with the heat. Around the world, preliminary reports suggest heat may have been associated with 10,000 excess deaths in Europe during a series of heat waves this summer.
On this episode, we look back at how the region dealt with another summer of climate impacts. With autumn around the corner, we’ll also discuss what these trends could mean for months and years to come.
GUESTS:
Jack Scheff, Ph.D., assistant professor of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences at UNC Charlotte
Randall Hitt, vice president of unsheltered services at Roof Above
Zachary Turner, climate reporter at WFAE
