The world just had the hottest August ever
What happened
August 2024 marked the hottest month globally since records began in 1850, with temperatures 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels, according to UN-backed climate agencies.
UN News — United Nations
Key points
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August 2024 was the hottest month on record globally, 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels, per Copernicus, NOAA, and NASA data.
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Western Europe endured heatwaves and drought in August 2024, with major rivers including the Rhine and Danube at record-low water levels.
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WMO reported El Niño intensified August’s extreme weather, driving floods in some regions and worsening wildfires in Indonesia.
65°C higher than pre-industrial averages.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted that the northern hemisphere experienced its warmest summer, while the southern hemisphere had a near-record warm winter.
Arctic and Antarctic sea ice coverage in August was below average, reflecting ongoing polar warming trends.
Western Europe faced persistent heatwaves and severe drought, particularly in France, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and the United Kingdom, with major rivers like the Rhine and Danube at exceptionally low water levels.