August 2024 was the 13th month in a 14-month period where average temperatures went above 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
This year’s August is the hottest, yet again. With an average surface air temperature of 16.82°C. It is tied with August 2023 as the hottest month of August ever recorded, 0.71°C above the 1991-2020 average, and 1.51°C above the pre-industrial level, according to a new report by Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
To add fuel to fire, August 2024 was the 13th month in a 14-month period where average temperatures went above 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In fact, the report found that the global-average temperature for the past 12 months (September 2023 – August 2024) is the highest for any 12-month period.
The hottest year
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), is a major part of the European Union’s space programme, and primarily takes care of the EU’s Earth observation programme. It used the ERA5 reanalysis dataset, combining measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations from around the world to arrive at its findings.
According to the report, the global average temperature anomaly for this current year, or January–August 2024 is 0.70°C above the 1991-2020 average. Not only is it the highest on record for this period, but also 0.23°C warmer than the same period in 2023. By their calculations, the average anomaly for the remaining months of September-December 2024 would need to drop by at least 0.30°C for 2024 to not be hotter than last year. As this has never happened in the entire ERA5 dataset, it is quite likely that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record, found the report.
“During the past three months of 2024, the globe has experienced the hottest June and August, the hottest day on record, and the hottest boreal summer on record. This string of record temperatures is increasing the likelihood of 2024 being the hottest year on record. The temperature-related extreme events witnessed this summer will only become more intense, with more devastating consequences for people and the planet unless we take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Melting and scorching
Consecutive warm months have spillover effects, too, especially in the temperate climes of the European landmass. In other words, permafrost in the northernmost regions has been melting rapidly.
The study reported that the global-average temperature during this summer for the boreal region – the temperate zones just south of the Arctic circle – was the highest on record at 0.69°C above the 1991-2020 average for the months of June-August. It even surpassed last year’s record.
Naturally, it’s not surprising to find that Arctic sea ice extent was 17% below average. On the other pole, the Antarctic sea ice extent was 7% below average as well, according to the report.
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