Last month was recorded as the second hottest July ever, following a 13-month period where each month was the warmest on record, partly due to the El Niño weather pattern, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The temperatures were 1.48°C (2.7°F) above the 1850-1990 pre-industrial average, and the past year was 1.64°C above this average due to climate change.
July also saw the hottest two days ever recorded. Copernicus attributes these high temperatures to greenhouse gas emissions and notes unusual ocean temperature increases, even in areas not typically affected by El Niño.
Read more: US Heatwave Breaks New Temperature Records
Despite the end of El Niño, global temperature rises remain significant, with ongoing heatwaves and a clear link to human impact on climate. Above-average temperatures were observed in various regions, while some areas experienced near or below-average temperatures.
July 2024 was wetter than average in northern Europe and southeastern Turkey, while drought warnings continued in southern and eastern Europe. Arctic sea ice levels were 7% below average, and Antarctic sea ice was the second lowest for July, 11% below average.
Global sea temperatures were near record highs, just 0.1°C below the previous July’s record, ending a 15-month streak of new records. This increase raises questions about potential shifts in ocean currents beyond natural climate patterns.
