August was joint-hottest month ever recorded globally
August 2026 tied with July 2023 as the hottest month ever recorded globally, with temperatures reaching 1.65C above preindustrial levels. Scientists warn that the climate crisis is exacerbating the effects of the current El Niño weather system.
Why it matters
The record-breaking temperatures underscore the accelerating impact of climate change and the urgency of addressing fossil fuel consumption.
A dried up reservoir in Miryang in South Korea, after severe heatwaves./Getty Images A dried up reservoir in Miryang in South Korea, after severe heatwaves./Getty Images Climate crisis August was joint-hottest month ever recorded globally Temperatures reached 1.65C above preindustrial levels, months before El Niño system reaches full strength
Prefer the Guardian on Google August was the joint-hottest month ever recorded around the world, with global temperatures reaching 1.65C above preindustrial levels, scientists said on Thursday, amid warnings of further heating on the way.
August 2026 tied with July 2023 for the hottest month ever recorded, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Sea surface temperatures also soared to their highest levels on record for August.
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