Key Takeaways
- August 2026 tied with July 2023 as the hottest month ever observed.
- Temperatures reached 1.65°C above preindustrial levels, unprecedented in the past 100,000 years.
- Record-breaking heat led to extreme weather events and significant loss of life in Europe and Asia.
August 2026 has been declared the joint hottest month on record, tying with July 2023, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The monthly mean temperature was 1.65°C above preindustrial levels, a figure that has not been seen in the past 100,000 years, as reported by Samantha Burgess from Copernicus.
The extreme heat was exacerbated by the most severe super El Niño on record, which amplified temperatures already heightened by global warming. This phenomenon has led to unprecedented temperatures in the extra-polar ocean, peaking at 21.1°C, the hottest temperature ever observed in the sea surface.
The record-breaking heat has driven extreme weather and climate catastrophes. Four major heatwaves in Europe, combined with severe drought, have fueled massive wildfires near cities such as Bordeaux in France and Madrid in Spain. Additionally, water levels in major rivers have dropped, revealing long-lost artifacts and historical objects.
The heatwaves in Europe resulted in at least 35,000 more deaths than would be statistically expected. Crop harvests, particularly of wheat, are expected to be lower than usual. The heat in August was also linked to a glacier collapse in Nepal and Tibet, which destroyed several towns. At least 1,300 people were confirmed dead, and more than 5,500 were still missing.
Experts warn that for every degree of warming, extreme events intensify, leading to more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting heatwaves. This has a direct impact on food security. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) called on leaders attending the COP31 climate summit in November to reverse the rise in greenhouse gas emissions and invest more in adapting to current impacts.
The relentless heatwaves that have hit the northern hemisphere this summer have made the climate threat real for many. However, preparation and adaptation will only take us so far. The task now is to match the scale of the science with the urgency of the situation.
