A new scientific report has identified clear warming signals in 41 U.S. states over the last seven decades, according to a study published last week by researchers from two Spanish universities. The findings cover most of the continental United States and reveal notable regional variations, which could influence how climate adaptation and mitigation policies are designed at the national and state levels.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Climate, analyzed tens of thousands of daily temperature records collected since 1950 across the 48 contiguous states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. The research was led by Jesús Gonzalo of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and María Dolores Gadea Rivas of the University of Zaragoza. Unlike traditional analyses based solely on arithmetic averages, the team applied advanced statistical methods to detect subtle but persistent warming trends.
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According to the authors, the results show that most states have experienced statistically significant temperature increases, although the intensity and timing of warming differ by region. These conclusions align with official data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), both of which have documented long-term warming trends using independent datasets and methodologies.
The report also highlights the relevance of this analytical approach for other countries with diverse climatic conditions. At the same time, it draws attention to the so-called “warming hole,” a region in the south-central United States where temperatures have not risen as clearly as in other areas, despite global warming trends.
