The world has just witnessed the hottest week on record, preceded by the hottest June ever recorded. These record-breaking temperatures, both on land and in the ocean, have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and the environment, highlighting the profound changes occurring in Earth’s system due to human-induced climate change.
Based on provisional analysis using reanalysis data from Japan’s JRA-3Q, the average global temperature on July 7 was 17.24 degrees Celsius. This surpasses the previous record of 16.94 degrees Celsius set in August 2016 during a strong El Niño year. The Japanese data, shared with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), aligns with preliminary data from the Copernicus ECMWF ERA5 dataset.
“The exceptional warmth in June and at the start of July occurred at the onset of the development of El Niño, which is expected to further fuel the heat both on land and in the oceans and lead to more extreme temperatures and marine heat waves,” said Prof. Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services.
“We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Niño develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024,” he said. “This is worrying news for the planet,” he said.
“The exceptional warmth in June and at the start of July occurred at the onset of the development of El Niño, which is expected to further fuel the heat both on land and in the oceans and lead to more extreme temperatures and marine heat waves,” said Prof. Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services.
“We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Niño develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024,” he said. “This is worrying news for the planet,” he said.
HOTEST JUNE
The report from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, in collaboration with WMO, reveals that June 2023 was more than 0.5 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. It surpassed the previous record set in June 2019. Northwestern Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures, while parts of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Asia, and eastern Australia also saw significantly warmer conditions. However, some areas, including Western Australia, western United States, and western Russia, had cooler-than-normal temperatures.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service report also highlights unprecedented North Atlantic sea surface temperatures, which have implications for fisheries distribution, ocean circulation, and climate. The warming North Atlantic increases the likelihood of more hurricanes and tropical cyclones while influencing weather patterns in West Africa. Extreme marine heat waves were observed in June around Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Baltic Sea.
Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began, falling 17% below the average and breaking the previous record. The daily extent of Antarctic sea ice remained at unprecedented low values throughout the month. In contrast, Arctic sea ice extent was slightly below average but higher than values from the past eight years.
“The temperatures in the North Atlantic are unprecedented and of great concern. They are much higher than anything the models predicted,” said Dr Michael Sparrow, head of WMO’s World Climate Research Department. “This will have a knock on effect on ecosystems and fisheries and on our weather,” he said.
“The North Atlantic is one of the key drivers of extreme weather. With the warming of the Atlantic, there is an increasing likelihood of more hurricanes and tropical cyclones. North Atlantic sea surface temperature is associated with heavy rain or drought in West Africa,” said Dr Baddour.
SEA ICE
Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began, at 17% below average, breaking the previous June record by a substantial margin.
Throughout the month, the daily Antarctic sea ice extent remained at unprecedented low values for the time of year.
There was about 2.6 million square kilometres of Antarctic sea ice loss compared to the long- term average of the satellite era and almost 1.2 million km2 compared to the previous record in 2022.
“That is a really dramatic drop in the sea ice extent in Antarctica,” said Dr Baddour.
Arctic sea ice extent was slightly below average but well above the June values from the past eight years.
HYDROLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hydrological highlights from the report indicate drier-than-average conditions across North America, Russia, the Horn of Africa, southern Africa, South America, and parts of Australia, contributing to severe wildfires. Conversely, southern Europe, western Iceland, northwestern Russia, and other regions experienced above-average precipitation, leading to floods. Central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the western coast of the Black Sea also faced drier-than-average conditions.
The WMO report emphasizes the urgent need for climate action in the face of rising temperatures, melting sea ice, and hydrological extremes. It underscores the significant impacts of climate change on the planet and highlights the necessity of mitigating its effects through global efforts and concerted actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
