According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), global surface temperatures reached 16.96 °C in August, tying with July 2023 as the joint-warmest month on record and marking a return of global temperatures exceeding the 1.5 °C pre-industrial threshold.
Global Surface Temperatures and the 1.5 °C Threshold
Global surface air temperatures last month sat 0.85 °C above the 1991–2020 average, according to C3S data. This pushed the temperature 1.65 °C above pre-industrial levels estimated for 1850–1900. Samantha Burgess, Climate Strategy Lead at ECMWF, noted that the month marked a notable return to global temperatures surpassing 1.5 °C.
The broader summer period spanning June to August also matched the record set in 2024 as the warmest globally. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, described the trend as the growing price of humanity’s fossil fuel dependence, pointing to ongoing coal, oil, and gas consumption as the primary driver behind record-breaking heat.
Western Europe Records Its Hottest Summer Ever
Western Europe recorded its hottest summer in history, surpassing the previous record set in 2003, driven by a sequence of early, persistent heatwaves that began in May. Across the European continent, average land temperatures reached 20.26 °C, placing this August as the fourth-warmest on record for the region.
The prolonged dry conditions sparked severe droughts and widespread wildfires across parts of central and western Europe. Water levels dropped significantly in major river systems including the Rhine, Danube, Vistula, Rhône, and Po. Conversely, the western Iberian Peninsula, southern Greece, southern Turkey, Cyprus, and northeastern Europe experienced wetter-than-average conditions.
Extratropical Ocean Temperatures Hit Historic Highs
Ocean temperatures outside polar regions climbed to an average of 21.07 °C in August, breaking the previous record of 20.98 °C set in August 2023, according to Copernicus records. The warming was driven by global climate change alongside rapid sea surface temperature increases in the equatorial Pacific linked to strong El Niño conditions.
Marine heatwaves drove historic sea surface temperature highs along the Atlantic coast of Europe and across the western Mediterranean. Burgess emphasized that these combined atmospheric and oceanic extremes continue to impact communities, economies, and ecosystems worldwide.
Did you know? August 2026 was the first month to exceed the 1.5 °C pre-industrial limit since November 2025, matching the global temperature peak previously recorded in July 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the average global temperature in August?
The average global surface air temperature reached 16.96 °C, which is 1.65 °C above pre-industrial levels.
How did European temperatures compare to past years?
Western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, eclipsing the previous benchmark set during the summer of 2003.
What caused the record-breaking ocean temperatures?
According to C3S, the record sea surface temperatures were driven by long-term global warming and strong El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific.
Explore more climate reports and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on global weather trends.
Worth a look