Our planet just experienced the warmest June ever recorded with deadly heat waves in Texas, Mexico and India. In the North Atlantic, ocean temperatures were 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in May than they typically are at that time of year. Around Antarctica, sea ice levels have plunged to record lows.

The heat shows no signs of letting up. The New York Times reported that on Monday, July 3, global average temperatures reached 62.6° F (17° C), the hottest day ever recorded. But that record was shattered the following day, Tuesday, July 4, when global average temperatures rose to a new high of 62.9° F. Tuesday was the hottest day Earth has experienced since at least 1940, when records began, and very likely before that.

And then on Wednesday, temperatures tied the 62.9° F record, ensuring that the 7-day week ending on Wednesday was the hottest ever recorded.

The overall warming of the planet is well within the realm of what scientists had projected would happen as humans continued to pump heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 

It's been hot here in Georgia, but seasonably so, with daily highs generally in the low 90s, not unusual for July. The humidity makes it more uncomfortable, but also saves us from still higher temperatures - afternoon thunderstorms cool us off and their associated cloud cover keep the sun from warming us even further.