Earth Observation: July was the hottest month on record

July was the hottest month worldwide since records began and was probably the first to almost reach the 1.5 degree mark. Those responsible have now announced that this was determined as part of the European climate monitoring Copernicus. The average air temperature on the earth’s surface was 16.95 degrees Celsius, more than 0.4 degrees above the previous July record. That is “virtually identical to the best estimate for warming of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels,” it said. This value is 16.96 degrees Celsius. There were heat waves in various regions of the northern hemisphere, while temperatures in South America and Antarctica were well above the previous average. The full year so far is the third warmest on record.

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Plot of global July temperatures over the past few decades

(Bild: C3S/ECMWF)

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the record was already emerging during the month, and the analyzes presented are based on “billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations” around the world. Among the anomalies, the so-called sea surface temperature (SST) continues to stand out. Since spring, the measured values ​​have been well above the previous highs. At the same time, the sea ice around Antarctica is by far smaller than at any time since it has been measured by satellites. In contrast, slightly more ice was recorded in the Arctic than the recent average and significantly more than in 2020, when a record minimum was recorded.

The spikes in air and sea surface temperatures would have serious consequences for people across the planet, reminds Samantha Burgess of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Even if this is only a temporary interim result, the measurements show how urgently greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced. Because they are the main reason for these records. Those responsible for the European Union-funded climate monitoring program also warn that the next El Niño is still developing in the eastern Pacific. This is likely to drive up global temperatures over the next few years and have dramatic effects, especially in 2024.

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