Hottest August Recorded: Climate Records Continue to Break
The Earth has been experiencing record-breaking heat more frequently, with August 2024 becoming the hottest August ever recorded in 175 years. This pattern of extreme temperatures is a clear sign of how climate change is affecting the planet. Global Temperature Averages According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the global land and ocean surface temperature for August 2024 was 2.29°F (1.27°C) higher than the 20th-century average, which is 60.1°F (15.6°C). This makes August 2024 the warmest August in recorded history. Regional Temperature Records Some regions had even more extreme heat:Europe and Oceania: Both experienced their hottest Augusts ever. Asia: Had its second-warmest August. Africa and North America: Both saw their third-warmest August. Northern Hemisphere: The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever. Southern Hemisphere: Winter in the Southern Hemisphere was the warmest on record, with temperatures 0.96°C above the average. Decline in Sea Ice In