August Heat Sets New Global Records
Global temperatures reached record levels in August 2026, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, as human-caused warming combined with a strong El Niño pattern. The global average temperature was 16.96 C, effectively tying July 2023’s previous monthly record within the margin of uncertainty.
August was 1.65 C above pre-industrial levels and contributed to the hottest Northern Hemisphere summer measured. The eight warmest months in the Copernicus record have occurred since July 2023. Ocean temperatures also remained exceptionally high, with the monthly global average tying the record set in March 2024.
The contiguous United States recorded its hottest summer, exceeding the 1936 Dust Bowl benchmark by nearly 0.4 C. Across Europe, prolonged heat affected public health and infrastructure, while scientists cited school closures, strained hospitals, damaged roads and disrupted rail systems as examples of the growing impact of extreme temperatures.
Climate researchers said El Niño added to the heat, but emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil and natural gas remained the main cause of the long-term warming trend. Copernicus estimated that El Niño typically raises global temperatures by about 0.1 to 0.2 C, with most warming attributed to fossil fuel use.
Experts said the frequency of broken records indicates that unusually hot conditions are becoming more common. They also warned that continued warming is expected to increase the likelihood and severity of heat waves, wildfires, floods and storms.
Scientists cited in the report said 2026 could surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record, while 2027 may be warmer still if the projected El Niño reaches exceptional strength. Some individual days could rise more than 2 C above pre-industrial averages.
United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell linked the records to continued fossil fuel consumption and called for reductions in emissions.