Beginning in March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern and Western United States, and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records,[1] mass deaths of animals from several threatened species, water shortages requiring rationing,[2] increased forest fires, and over 155 deaths in Mexico with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments.
[3] At least 157 howler monkeys in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas died due to the prolonged excessive heat and resulting dehydration.
[1] At least 100 parrots, toucans, bats, and other animals housed in the Selva Teenek eco-park in the state of San Luis Potosí also succumbed to dehydration.
[20] On July 8, the Third Avenue Bridge stopped working and was closed down due to the heat; temperatures in New York City that day were 95 °F (35 °C).
[25] July 2024 was the hottest calendar month on record in many cities across the western United States, including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Fresno, Redding, Salem, and San Jose.
[27] On August 28, the heat spread east, resulting in record highs being set in Washington DC and Columbus, Ohio.
[32] In Honduras, Northern regions including San Pedro Sula had blackouts caused by transformer failures due to the increased prolonged heat.