U.S. Spring Temperatures Hit Second Highest on Record; Quarter of World Cup Matches Could Be Affected by Extreme Heat

(Washington, June 8, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated today that the United States recorded its second-highest spring temperatures in history this year. Experts predict that a quarter of the FIFA World Cup matches will be affected by "extreme heat" in June, as most stadiums do not have roofs or air conditioning.

According to NOAA statistics, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, more than half of the 48 contiguous U.S. states recorded their hottest temperatures since 2012, and also ranked in the top 3 hottest in 132 years of records.

The average temperature in the contiguous U.S. this spring was 13.22 degrees Celsius, second only to the record of 13.43 degrees set in 2012.

NOAA pointed out that the beginning of the year was also the driest period since 1988. At the same time, however, the Hawaiian islands experienced their wettest spring in 36 years, with rainfall more than double the spring average.

As of early June, more than half of the contiguous U.S. remains in a state of drought, including large parts of the Northwest, the Southwest, the northern Rocky Mountains, and portions of the Plains.

NOAA stated that temperatures are expected to be above average in the western and northern United States in June.

This summer, the world's eyes are on the weather in the United States, as some cities will host FIFA World Cup matches, and some of these stadiums do not have roofs or air conditioning.

AFP reported that a team of scientists recently released a report stating that "extreme heat" could affect a quarter of the World Cup matches, including the final to be held in New Jersey.