Date Published: 05/07/2023
Hottest day of all time recorded in July
The global temperature reached an average of 17ºC on Monday July 3
Climate change continues to leave its mark on the planet with weather events like heatwaves and devastating storms becoming more and more extreme. And on Monday July 3 a new milestone was reached when the world recorded the hottest day of all time.
Globally, the thermometers topped out at an average of 17ºC, a value not seen since records began at the end of the 19th century. Before this, the hottest 24-hour period was experienced back in August 2016, when the mercury reached 16.92ºC.
Scientists are becoming increasingly worried about the rapidly rising temperatures both on land and at sea, and while Spain is used to scorching weather at this time of year, the El Niño phenomenon is sparking maritime heatwaves in the most unusual places, including the North Sea.
Elsewhere, the southern states in America continue to melt while China has been enduring a sweltering heatwave with temperatures above 35ºC every day.
"The average global surface air temperature reaching 17ºC for the first time since we have reliable records available is a significant symbolic milestone in our warming world," said climate researcher Leon Simons.
"Now that the warmer phase of El Niño is starting we can expect a lot more daily, monthly and annual records breaking in the next 1.5 years."
The El Niño weather event officially began in June, which means that heat is building on the Pacific ocean, pushing temperatures up. This frightening trend has persisted for much of 2023, and the month of June was also confirmed as the hottest across the globe, with the mercury climbing 1.46ºC higher than normal.
"Chances are that July will be the warmest ever, and with it the hottest month ever: 'ever' meaning since the Eemian which is some 120,000 years ago," said Karsten Haustein, from the University of Leipzig.
"While southern hemisphere temperatures will drop a bit in the next few days, chances are that July and August will see even warmer days yet given that El Niño is now pretty much in full swing."
Find all the latest weather and climate change news here or join our Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates
Image: Freepik
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