Topline
The earth experienced its second hottest month and second hottest July on record last month with global average temperatures being slightly lower than July 2023—ending a dire 13-month streak of record-breaking temperatures for every single month.
July 2024 was the second hottest July and second hottest month on record.
Key Facts
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average global surface air temperature for July 2024 was 16.91 degrees Celcius.
Last month’s average temperature was only 0.04 degrees Celcius lower than July 2023, which remains the hottest July and hottest month ever.
The slight dip compared to July 2023 also means last month capped off a 13-month streak in which all-time record high temperatures were registered for that respective month.
The average temperature in July was also 1.48°C higher than the pre-industrial average, marking an end to a 12-month streak of temperatures that were 1.5°C above pre-industrial numbers—a critical climate change benchmark.
Despite the end of the streaks, the Earth experienced its two hottest days on record on July 22 and 23—with global average temperatures hitting 17.16°C and 17.15°C respectively.
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Crucial Quote
C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess said: “The streak of record-breaking months has come to an end, but only by a whisker. Globally, July 2024 was almost as warm as July 2023, the hottest month on record…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.”
Big Number
1.5°C. That is the preferred limit for the increase in global temperatures compared to pre-industrial numbers according to the 2015 Paris Agreement signed by world leaders. According to C3S, global temperatures have on average been 1.64°C higher than the pre-industrial average in the past twelve months (August 2023 to July 2024).
Key Background
Both C3S and the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have confirmed 2023 was the hottest year on record. The WMO’s report said average global temperatures in 2023 were 1.45°C above the pre-industrial baseline—dangerously close to the 1.5-degree threshold. After releasing the annual report, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned: “Never have we been so close…to the 1.5° C lower limit of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The WMO community is sounding the Red Alert to the world.” Despite 2023 notching alarming numbers, the average temperatures in each of the first six months of 2024 (January to June) were the hottest ever on record for that respective month.
Further Reading
2023 Was Officially The World’s Hottest Year On Record (Forbes)
Here Were The Most Troubling Climate Records Set In 2023—The Hottest Year Ever (Forbes)
