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    August 2026 Ties July 2023 as Hottest Month on Record

    Section editor: ·Low4 articles covering this·4 news sources·Updated 24 days ago·World
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    Infographic showing the rise in global temperatures, highlighting August 2026 as the hottest month on record.

    What happened

    August 2026 tied July 2023 as the hottest month on record, with global temperatures reaching 16.96°C (62.53°F).

    The Context

    • Record temperatures: The global average surface air temperature exceeded pre-industrial levels by 1.65°C, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and a strong El Niño.
    • Historical benchmarks: The contiguous U.S. experienced its hottest summer on record, surpassing the 1936 Dust Bowl peak.
    • Future projections: Experts warn that 2026 may surpass 2024 as the warmest year, with 2027 potentially reaching 1.8°C above pre-industrial levels.

    The Number

    1.65°C

    — This global temperature anomaly highlights the urgent need for climate action, affecting sectors like energy, insurance, and public health.

    Takeaway

    As climate extremes intensify, expect ongoing disruptions and shifts in market dynamics through 2027 and beyond.

    4 Articles
    NPR

    This summer was hot. August shattered global heat records

    Scientists have reported that August was the hottest month ever recorded globally, with summer temperatures in the U.S. also breaking previous heat records. This unprecedented heat underscores the ongoing trends of climate change and its impact on we...

    France 24

    August hottest month ever recorded globally as huge El Nino emerges

    August 2026 has been recorded as the hottest month globally, with unprecedented temperatures driven by a strengthening El Niño phenomenon, according to Europe's climate monitor. This extreme heat has culminated in a summer marked by severe heatwaves ...

    The National

    August was world's joint-hottest month on record

    August has been recorded as the joint-hottest month globally, highlighting significant climate trends and rising temperatures. This data underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and its impact on weather patterns worldwide.

    ABC News

    Global heat stuck on high. Scientists say August was Earth's hottest month they've measured.

    The European climate service Copernicus has reported that August 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, highlighting a concerning trend in global temperatures. This unprecedented heat underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate ch...