East Coast Endures Record Humid Summer Driven by Climate Warming

More than 70 million Americans along the East Coast endured the muggiest June and July on record in 2025, according to an Associated Press analysis of climate data [1]. The surge in humidity, combined with high temperatures, created dangerous and uncomfortable conditions across parts of 27 states and Washington, D.C. The National Weather Service reported that the number of days with dew points at or above 65 degrees Fahrenheit—considered uncomfortable—was record-breaking in many areas. In cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore, the number of days with dew points reaching 75 degrees or higher—classified as oppressive—spiked dramatically [2].

The increase in humidity is part of a decades-long trend. Since 1950, average summer dew points in the region east of the Rockies have risen by about 2.5 degrees, according to the AP analysis. In four of the last six years, the average dew point has hovered near or above 65 degrees, which the National Weather Service defines as “uncomfortable.” In contrast, in the 1950s through the 1990s, dew points were typically in the low 60s, deemed “noticeable but OK” [3].

The physical impact of these conditions is significant. High humidity prevents the air from cooling at night, which increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. Multiple nighttime temperature records were set in cities including Raleigh, Nashville, and Virginia Beach, with others coming close, including New York City and Atlanta. The lack of nighttime cooling can be particularly harmful to health, as the body has fewer opportunities to recover from daytime heat exposure [4].

Climate experts point to the physics of a warming atmosphere as a key factor. For every degree Fahrenheit the temperature rises, the air can hold an additional 4% in moisture. This means that rising global temperatures are fueling not only higher temperatures but also more intense humidity. Climate scientist Cameron Lee noted that what were once rare, ultra-sticky days are now recurring multiple times a summer, affecting both comfort and health [5].

The economic impact is also growing. Increased reliance on air conditioning has driven up energy demand, straining power grids and leading to higher electricity bills for households and businesses. Energy-intensive industries, such as construction and agriculture, have also faced operational difficulties. These trends highlight the increasing financial burden of climate change on the U.S. economy [6].

As the summer progressed, some relief arrived in August with the arrival of cool fronts, but the overall pattern points to a future with more frequent and intense heat and humidity events. Climate scientists stress that these changes are not isolated incidents but part of a long-term shift driven by global warming. Communities across the East Coast are now being forced to rethink infrastructure, public health, and emergency response strategies to cope with the new normal [7].

Source:

[1] title1 (https://fortune.com/2025/08/10/why-east-coast-summer-so-uncomfortable-humid-heat-climate-change/)

[2] title2 (https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-08-10/feel-sticky-this-summer-thats-because-its-been-record-muggy-east-of-the-rockies)

[3] title3 (https://www.courant.com/2025/08/10/feel-sticky-this-summer-thats-because-its-been-record-muggy-east-of-the-rockies/)

[4] title4 (https://coffeespoons.me/category/datagraphic/)