Last month was the second-hottest July on RECORD - only 0.04°C lower than the previous high set in July 2023, figures reveal
- The global average surface temperature reached 16.91°C (62.4°F) in July
- This is the first time a month has not seen record breaking heat in over a year
After a month of rain and dreary days over the UK, it might come as a surprise for many Brits to learn that last month was the second hottest July on record.
According to data gathered by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average surface temperature in July hit 16.91°C (62.4°F) - only 0.04°C (0.07°F) cooler than the previous high in July 2023.
This marks the first time in over a year that a month has not been the hottest on record.
However, despite not breaking the monthly record, last month still saw the hottest day ever as average temperatures reached 17.16°C (62.89°F) on 22 July.
And with the average temperature of the last six months already 0.27°C (0.49°F) higher than 2023, it is almost certain that this year will prove to be the hottest ever.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service has revealed that last month was the second hottest July on record, with temperatures just 0.04°C (0.07°F) below the record temperatures set in 2023
C3S uses data gathered from millions of aircraft, ships, weather stations, and satellites to calculate the average temperatures around the world.
This data collection revealed that last month's global average surface temperature was 0.68°C (1.22°F) above the 1991-2020 average for July.
Over the last six months, the average global temperature has been 0.27°C higher than the same period for 2023, which makes it extremely likely that 2024 will go on to be the hottest year on record.
However, this also brings a streak of 13 consecutive months of record breaking temperatures to a close.
As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opened in July, extreme temperatures across the continent raised fears that fans might be exposed to dangerous extreme heat. Organisers responded by installing water misters to help visitors cool off (pictured)
July 2024 included the two hottest days in history as global average temperatures hit 17.16°C on July 22
Last month's data also shows that the average global surface air temperature for the month were 1.48°C (2.66°F) above the estimated July average for 1850-1900 - the period defined as 'pre-industrial'.
This is the first time in a year that monthly average temperatures have not exceeded the 1.5°C (2.7°F) limit which nations committed to avoiding in as part of the Paris Agreement.
However, monthly measurements more than 1.5°C above average do not mean that the world has already passed this threshold.
Due to monthly and yearly variations, the measurements targeted by the Paris Agreement look at the average temperature over decades rather than months or years.
However, long runs of record-breaking months are a sign of ongoing changes in our atmosphere.
Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the C3S, says: 'The streak of record-breaking months has come to an end, but only by a whisker.
Despite high global temperatures, the UK saw a July that was wetter and colder than average
'The overall context hasn’t changed, our climate continues to warm.
'The devastating effects of climate change started well before 2023 and will continue until global greenhouse gas emissions reach net-zero.'
Within Europe, areas in the south and east saw the most severe heat conditions as a deadly heat wave struck the Mediterranean.
Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco all experienced extreme heat in July which caused at least 23 fatalities.
Dr Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution, says: 'The end of record-breaking monthly temperatures is not cause for celebration.
'The planet has heated by about 1.3°C since humans first started burning oil, gas, and coal. However, some places are heating faster than the global average, including Europe.'
Met Office data shows that England was wetter than average in July as the country saw average temperatures slightly below the 1991-2020 average
In France, where the Paris 2024 Olympic Games began in late July, this led to concerns that the athletes and fans could be put at risk by extreme heat.
Outside of Europe, the most severe temperatures were experienced over the Western United States, Africa, and the Middle East.
A recent study conducted by World Weather Attribution found that the persistent heat experienced by some countries in July would not have happened without climate change.
Dr Otto says: 'To stop climate change, we need to stop burning fossil fuels, stop deforestation and replace them with renewable energy.
Despite lower average temperatures, the UK still experienced extreme heat as the Met Office issued a yellow health warning in late July as temperatures hit 30°C in London (pictured)
'We have all the technology and know-how to do that, it will also increase the quality of life for the vast majority of people. We just lack the political will.'
The UK meanwhile, saw a July that was both cooler and wetter than average.
Data from the Met Office shows that most of England and the East coast of the UK saw more rainfall than expected for this time of year.
However, towards the end of the month the Met Office was forced to issue a yellow heat health warning as temperatures rose to 30°C (86°F) in London.
C3S also revealed that global sea surface temperatures were also at their second-highest value for the month and only 0.01°C (0.018°F) below July 2023.
However, C3S data also shows that temperatures above the Equatorial Pacific had below average temperatures, indicating that a La Niña year could be beginning to form.
Global sea surface temperatures were also at their second-highest value for the month and only 0.01°C (0.018°F) below July 2023
With global temperatures remaining high, it is likely that 2024 will be the hottest year on record. So far, temperatures have been so hot that volunteers at the Paris Olympic Games have resorted to carrying fans around the grounds
La Niña is a global weather event which brings cold waters to the surface of the Pacific, pushing the jet stream northwards.
This usually causes a decrease in global average temperatures as well as drought over the southern United States and flooding in the Pacific Northwest.
However, while global events like La Niña or El Niño shift the average global temperature they do not alter the total amount of heat trapped on the planet.
This means that their fluctuations are only temporary and cannot alter the average shift towards a warmer climate caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
Dr Otto adds: 'Even without El Niño, the world continues to experience incredibly dangerous levels of heat.'
