A Spooky Truth: Halloween is Getting Hotter featuring Climate Central

Climate Correction™ - A Climate Change Podcast

On this chilling episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, Climate Scientist Daniel Gilford from Climate Central unmasks the eerie climate trends haunting our favorite holiday.

This spine-tingling installment unveils the ominous Climate Shift Index, an innovative tool that quantifies the effects of climate change on every facet of our lives, including holidays. Gilford fearlessly wades into the data, revealing that Halloween, a beloved autumn tradition, is undergoing a hair-raising transformation due to climate change.

Listeners will shiver as Gilford reveals the shocking statistics: Over the past two decades, Halloween temperatures have risen by an average of 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit across North America. He digs deeper into the crypt to expose the alarming decrease in the number of chilly October nights, making costume choices increasingly sweaty and pumpkin carving sessions uncomfortably warm.

The terror doesn't stop there. Gilford's findings suggest that the availability of classic Halloween treats like apples and cider is dwindling due to shifting growing seasons and unpredictable weather patterns, leaving us with a ghastly question: Will Halloween traditions be forever altered by climate change?

But fear not, for Gilford offers a glimmer of hope. He discusses the importance of climate adaptation, sharing tips on how to host eco-friendly Halloween parties and highlighting initiatives to reduce the holiday's carbon footprint. As the episode concludes, listeners are left with a chilling reminder that taking action to combat climate change is the only way to prevent Halloween from becoming a haunted relic of the past.

Guest Bio

Daniel Gilford, Ph.D., is a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist with a decade of experience in climate science research. He is scientifically interested in answering the question, “How does climate variability and change affect local coastal communities?” He is personally interested in climate science that works towards an equitable, knowledgeable, and resilient society for his son, his daughter, and future generations.

Daniel grew up along the coast of central Florida, and at a young age became fascinated with the power and importance of weather in his community, especially during the extremely active 2004 hurricane season. Following that passion, Daniel attended Florida State University, where he worked at the Center for Ocean Atmospheric Prediction Studies studying climate impacts on southeast US temperatures and agriculture. After graduating with a B. S. in Meteorology in 2012, Daniel started graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

At MIT Daniel studied with Prof. Susan Solomon and Kerry Emanuel examining how atmospheric chemistry and radiation combine to alter atmospheric temperatures and influence tropical cyclone intensities. Receiving his doctorate in Atmospheric Science, Daniel began a postdoc at Rutgers where he worked with Prof. Bob Kopp to better understand climate change's influence on sea level rise.

In 2021, Daniel joined Climate Central full-time as a Climate Scientist, and he is now working on climate change attribution to support the Realtime Climate and Sea Level teams. Daniel also enjoys reading comics, drinking coffee, board games, and being involved in his local community.