August confirmed as joint-hottest month ever recorded globally

Global data has confirmed that August 2026 was the joint-hottest month ever recorded worldwide, reaching a global average surface air temperature of 16.96°C. This temperature represents an increase of 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels, tying the record previously set in July 2023. This also marks the first time since November 2025 that global temperatures have surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial averages. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) was a key source for this data.

Scientists attribute this extreme heat to a combination of ongoing human-caused climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels, and the intensifying El Niño weather phenomenon. Record-high sea surface temperatures were also observed, further contributing to the elevated global temperatures. Experts anticipate that the current El Niño event will continue to strengthen in the coming months, potentially becoming one of the most intense on record.

The widespread impacts of this extreme heat have been felt globally, including devastating wildfires, damage to harvests, and an increase in heatwave-related deaths. Western Europe, in particular, experienced its warmest summer on record, surpassing previous highs set in 2003. These conditions have also led to disruptions in transport, business, and public services in numerous countries.