As summer in the Northern Hemisphere comes to an end, it is “increasingly likely” that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, despite July marking the end of a 13-month streak of monthly temperature records.
Extreme heat affected hundreds of millions of people throughout July, with a domino effect felt across society. The hottest day on record in recent history was recorded – yet another unwanted indication of the extent to which greenhouse gases from human activities are altering our climate.
Global average temperatures for 13 consecutive months (from June 2023 to June 2024) set new monthly records.
July 2024 was the second hottest month globally and the second hottest July in the ERA5 data record from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It was just 0.04°C below the previous record set in July 2023.
This underscores the urgency of the Call to Action on Extreme Heat issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stated that “the Earth is becoming hotter and more dangerous for everyone, everywhere.”
“Widespread, intense, and prolonged heatwaves have hit all continents over the past year. At least ten countries recorded daily temperatures above 50°C in more than one location. It is becoming too hot to handle,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
“Death Valley in California recorded a monthly average temperature of 42.5°C (108.5°F) – possibly a new record observed anywhere in the world. Even the remote frozen ice sheets of Antarctica have felt the heat,” she said.
Globally, July 22 was the hottest day, and July 23 was virtually tied, according to the reanalysis dataset (ERA5) from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
The global daily average temperature reached 17.16°C and 17.15°C in ERA5 on July 22 and 23, respectively. Given the small difference, similar to the level of uncertainty in the ERA5 data, it is not possible to say with absolute certainty which of the two days was the hottest, C3S stated.
“Climate adaptation alone is not enough. We need to tackle the root cause and take seriously the need to reduce record levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Celeste Saulo.
Source: World Meteorological Organization