1 hr ago
World Records Warmest August Ever, European Climate Agency Says
August 2026 was the hottest August ever measured around the world.
Scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service reported this result.
The average global air temperature was 16.96 degrees Celsius.
That was 0.85 degrees higher than the average from 1991 to 2020.
It was also about 1.65 degrees higher than temperatures before large-scale industrialization.
Europe had its hottest summer on record.
The summer months from June through August tied with 2024 for the warmest global summer period.
The August record also matched the warmest July recorded in 2023.
August 2026 was the warmest August globally in the ERA5 dataset.
Global-average surface air temperature reached 16.96 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures were 1.65 degrees Celsius above estimated pre-industrial levels.
Europe experienced its warmest summer on record, according to Copernicus.
The June-to-August 2026 period tied 2024 as the warmest globally recorded.
- Who
- The Copernicus Climate Change Service, implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
- What
- August 2026 was recorded as the world's warmest August, while Europe experienced its warmest summer on record.
- Where
- Globally, with a separate summer temperature record reported for Europe.
- When
- August 2026; the summer period covered June through August 2026.
- Why
Key facts
- Global August temperature
- 16.96 degrees Celsius
- Difference from 1991–2020 average
- 0.85 degrees Celsius above average
- Difference from pre-industrial levels
- 1.65 degrees Celsius above estimated pre-industrial values
- Global August record
- Warmest August in the ERA5 dataset
- European summer record
- Europe recorded its warmest summer on record
- June–August 2026
- Joint-warmest globally, tied with 2024
- Previous August record
- The previous joint record was set in 2023 and 2024
Quotes
Copernicus Climate Change Service report
The European climate monitoring service’s report on global temperatures
“The global-average surface air temperature in August 2026 was 16.96 degrees Celsius, which was 0.85 degree Celsius above the 1991–2020 global average. As such, it was the warmest August globally in the ERA5 dataset (a global dataset), surpassing the previous joint record set in 2023 and 2024”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
August 2026 Tied July 2023 as Hottest Month Ever
August 2026 Sets Global and Indian Heat Records
August Ties Record as World’s Hottest Month
Austria Reports Record Heat-Related Deaths During Extreme Summer
UK Records Hottest Summer Since 1884 Amid Heat and Drought
UK Records Hottest Summer for Second Consecutive Year
AfD Victory Highlights Europe’s Resurgent, Adaptable Far-Right Challenge
AfD Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Raises Questions for Europe
Europe’s Rightward Shift Puts Political Establishment Under Pressure
