World marks second warmest July on record
Global sea surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for the month of July
Global sea surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for the month of July
Global sea surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for the month of July
• Extreme heat, persistent drought and dangerous wildfires have become the hallmarks of northern hemisphere summer for many countries, whilst heavy rainfall and flooding have caused loss of life in other parts of the world.
• The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said it was the second warmest July on record worldwide, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a European Union initiative.
• July 2026 was the joint-second-warmest month ever recorded along with July 2024 and just behind the all-time record set in July 2023.
• Average surface air temperatures were 1.47°C above the estimated pre-industrial baseline, and sea-surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for the month of July.
• Global sea surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for the month of July.
• The heat is not confined to Europe as Japan and South Korea recorded exceptional and record-breaking temperatures, as did other parts of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
• The continuing series of high-impact weather and climate events once again underscores the need for reliable and timely forecasts and early warnings, and for monitoring and information services from the WMO community to limit the cascading impacts on society and economies.