Hot Weather Gets Scientists' Attention Originally published on
Wed July 11, 2012 5:30 am RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: Across America
people are sweltering through extreme heat this year, continuing
a long-term trend of rising temperatures. Inevitably, many are
wondering if the scorching heat is due to global warming.
Scientists are expected to dig into the data and grapple with
that in the months to come. They've already taken a stab at a
possible connection with last year's extreme weather events,
like the blistering drought in Texas. NPR's Richard Harris
reports. RICHARD HARRIS, BYLINE: Weather researchers from around
the world are now taking stock of what happened in 2011. It was
not the hottest year on record, but it was still in the top 15.
Jessica Blunden from the National Climatic Data Center says 2011
had its own memorable characteristics. JESSICA BLUNDEN: People
may very well remember this year as a year of extreme weather
and climate. HARRIS: There were devastating droughts in Africa,
Mexico, and Texas. In