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It’s no record to try to beat: summer 2024 was Earth’s hottest on record, and one of the hottest for Americans. Last year, the nationwide average temperature was 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit—2.5 degrees above normal. As we look toward summer, you may be wondering what’s in store for us this year. The Farmer’s Almanac just released its summer weather predictions, and sadly, we may be in for another scorcher of a summer. We’ll break down what the publication says you should expect in today’s news digest. Also in today’s edition: Walmart’s troubling announcement, the connection between record-high honeybee deaths and your grocery bill, and the invention of a new type of wood.
A ‘Scorcher’ of a Summer in Store For Much of U.S.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, much of the United States will be seeing a hotter-than-average and dry summer (meteorological summer begins on June 1, while astronomical summer starts on June 20). Record-breaking heat may affect large regions, with temperatures possibly up to or exceeding 4 degrees above normal. Only two regions may not feel the heat as much: southern Florida and the Northwest.
If you were hoping that rainfall could offer relief from the heat, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. Relatively dry conditions are expected, with rainfall at normal or slightly below normal levels. The Great Lakes region, northern and central New England, southern Florida, Hawaii, and southern Alaska, however, may see above-normal precipitation.
What does this mean for homeowners? In addition to knowing how to stay cool in the summer heat, you may want to try tricks for reducing your cooling bill and maximizing water savings.
Walmart Warns Customers; Honeybee Deaths’ Connection to Your Grocery Bill; A New Type of Wood
Walmart’s CFO warned that customers may see higher prices on some items as early as this month. Tariffs that are “still too high” were cited as the cause. John David Rainey told CNBC, “We’re wired for everyday low prices, but the magnitude of these increases is more than any retailer can absorb.” He added that the company would “absorb some of the price increases and suppliers will too.”
Honeybee deaths have reached a record high, but what does that have to do with your groceries? While scientists are trying to figure out exactly why honeybees are dying at an unprecedented rate, many across the country will soon see the consequences. Many factors lead to higher food costs, and this is bound to be one of them. Without honeybees to pollinate crops (they pollinate approximately 75 percent of crops), we could see shortages in produce like apples, almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, and more. And shortages mean raised prices by the time those items reach your produce aisle. Buckle up.
Can wood be stronger than steel? Researchers have developed a “steel-like” wood by infusing it with iron, and are touting it as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel.
Deals Worth Your Dime
There are a ton of Memorial Day deals and sales to take advantage of. We’ve rounded up our favorites: