Scientists say August was Earth's hottest month they've measured
Global air temperatures last month averaged 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with July 2023 as the hottest month ever documented by the European Union climate service. This extreme heat blew past a key climate threshold due to a dangerous combination of factors. The ongoing global temperature anomalies match or break historic marks, driven by compounding thermal pressures that follow a protracted period of record ocean temperatures and a strengthening El Nino phenomenon.
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- ✓ Last month's air temperature averaged 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with July 2023 as the toastiest month ever documented by the European Union's climate service.
What changed
New data from the European Union climate service confirmed that last month's average air temperature matched the previous record set in July 2023.
Live updates
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August Tied as Earths Hottest Month on Record
Global air temperatures last month averaged 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with July 2023 as the hottest month ever documented by the European Union climate service. This extreme heat blew past a key climate threshold due to a dangerous combination of factors. The ongoing global temperature anomalies match or break historic marks, driven by compounding thermal pressures that follow a protracted period of record ocean temperatures and a strengthening El Nino phenomenon.
Why it matters
The record-tying month continues a grim climate outlook as global temperatures face relentless upward pressure. Marine heat records have already been broken for 100 days, creating severe stress across global ecosystems.
What is confirmed
- Last month's air temperature averaged 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with July 2023 as the toastiest month ever documented by the European Union's climate service.
Still unconfirmed
- Earth cooked to its hottest month on record in August, blowing far past a key climate threshold, due to a dangerous double whammy of factors.
What to watch next
- Updates from climate monitoring agencies regarding cumulative global temperature anomalies through the end of the year
- Observational data on whether marine heat records continue past the 100-day mark
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.smithsonianmag.com — Did You Suffer a Sweltering August? You Weren’t Alone. It Tied for the Month With the Hottest Global Temperatures on Record
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- www.timesleader.com — Global heat stuck on high. Scientists say August was Earth’s hottest month they’ve measured.
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Scientists Confirm August Was Earth's Hottest Month on Record
Global temperatures hit record highs this past August, matching or breaking marks as the hottest month ever measured on Earth. The extreme heat coincides with a strengthening El Nino phenomenon and follows a protracted period of record ocean temperatures, with marine heat records broken for 100 days. Scientists and environmental reports highlight that the overall climate outlook remains grim as these compounding thermal pressures continue to drive global temperature anomalies upward.
Why it matters
The rising global temperatures are heavily influenced by the strengthening of the El Nino climate pattern, which typically drives up planetary warmth. This latest milestone follows a persistent streak of unprecedented ocean heat that has lasted for 100 days. These ongoing temperature extremes present mounting challenges for international climate stability and ecosystem preservation.
What is confirmed
- Global temperatures reached record highs last month, making August the hottest month ever measured globally.
- Oceans have broken heat records for 100 consecutive days.
What to watch next
- Updates on the continued strength and duration of the El Nino climate pattern.
- Further scientific assessments regarding autumn and winter global temperature trajectories.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (16)
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Global temperatures hit record highs as El Niño strengthens: Report
- The New York Times — August Ties the Record for Earth’s Hottest Month on the Books
- The Guardian — August was joint-hottest month ever recorded globally
- CNN — If August felt like the hottest month on Earth … you’re right
- Financial Times — Climate outlook is ‘not pretty’ after oceans break heat records for 100 days
- npr.org — Scientists say August was Earth's hottest month they've measured
- The Washington Post — We just experienced the planet’s hottest month on record, report says
- Fast Company — Earth’s hottest month ever recorded was this past August. These two factors are to blame
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