Last month was the hottest July on record, making it the 14th consecutive record-breaking month. AFP reported Monday citing a US environmental agency.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) monthly report also said 2024 now has a 77 percent chance of being the warmest year on record.
NOAA's July calculation contradicted the EU's Copernicus climate monitor, which, using a different data set, calculated that last month's average temperature was slightly lower than in July 2023.
However, both agencies agree on the alarming trend of record-breaking heat, with last year seeing new highs month after month.
According to NOAA, whose historical data goes back 175 years, 2024 will definitely be one of the five warmest years on record.
In July, global temperatures were 2.18 degrees Fahrenheit (1.21 degrees Celsius) above the 20th century average of 60.4 F (15.8 C), the U.S. agency said.
A series of heat waves occurred in Mediterranean and Gulf countries during the month, NOAA said.
Africa, Europe and Asia recorded their hottest July on record, while North America was its second hottest.
Ocean temperatures were the second warmest on record in July, according to NOAA, the same reading as Copernicus.
Copernicus scientists noted last week that “air temperatures over the ocean remained unusually high in many regions” despite a shift from the El Niño weather pattern, which helped drive a rise in global temperatures, to its opposite, La Niña, which has a cooling effect.
Last year was also the warmest year on record.
“The devastating effects of climate change began well before 2023 and will continue until global greenhouse gas emissions reach net zero,” said Samantha Burgess, Copernicus Deputy Director.
