Monday marked the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, surpassing the record set just a day earlier. The global average temperature reached an unprecedented 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This milestone underscores the escalating impact of climate change and the influence of El Niño.
Key Takeaways
- Monday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking the record set the day before.
- The global average temperature reached 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 Fahrenheit) on Monday.
- Higher than normal winter temperatures in Antarctica contributed to the new highs.
- Climate change and El Niño are significant factors in the rising temperatures.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
Sunday’s record as the hottest day ever recorded on Earth lasted only one day. Preliminary data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service revealed that the global average temperature reached 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday, surpassing Sunday’s record of 17.09 degrees Celsius.
In essence, the planet experienced its two warmest days back-to-back this week. Higher than normal winter temperatures in Antarctica played a role in pushing global temperatures to new highs.
Climate Change and El Niño
The records represent a milestone that climate scientists don’t expect to last long, as human activities continue to fuel climate change by emitting fossil fuel pollution into the atmosphere. Bob Henson, a meteorologist and climate writer for Yale Climate Connections, noted that while the breaking of records was not surprising, the recent spikes in temperatures have been “startling.”
“Let’s say your body temperature went up half a degree, that wouldn’t worry you if you’re 98.6 F, but if you’re already 103 F, that extra half a degree is really unsettling,” Henson explained.
Global Impact
People around the world have been feeling the effects of extreme heat this week and throughout the summer. California faced triple-digit temperatures in many areas on Monday, raising concerns about wildfires. In Al Dhaid, a city northeast of Dubai, temperatures soared to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Southern Europe also continued to swelter, with parts of Spain and Portugal under heat advisories.
Future Projections
In addition to the effects of climate change, this summer has been particularly hot due to El Niño, a natural pattern of circulation that brings warmer sea surface temperatures to the tropical eastern Pacific and can elevate global temperatures. Henson expects La Niña, which is associated with cooler temperatures, to take effect later this year and subsequently reduce average temperatures.
“Even if next year doesn’t bring similar records, we know what the long-term forecast is, and that’s warmer and warmer over time,” Henson said, adding: “When you turn up the burners and leave them on for a century, you’re going to see the water boil.”
Historical Context
Copernicus uses climate reanalysis data, which combines real-world observations and computer modeling of atmospheric circulation, to track global temperature. The program’s records date back to 1940. Until Sunday, the record for the hottest day was 16.8 degrees Celsius on August 12, 2016.
Monday’s record could still be broken. Carlo Buontempo, the director of Copernicus Climate Change Service, told NBC news, “The event is still ongoing and it is possible the date of the peak may still change, but our data suggest we may see slightly lower temperatures in the next few days.”
