The average global temperature in August 2026 reached 16.96° Celsius (62.53° F), breaking the previous record set in July 2023, according to data released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service on September 10, 2026. Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts stated that humans have not experienced temperatures this high for at least the last 100,000 years. The Copernicus data, which dates back to 1940, indicates that Western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record this year, marked by successive heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. Estimates from the EuroMomo monitoring platform suggest that between mid-July and mid-August, there were over 32,000 excess deaths related to heat in Europe. Furthermore, ocean temperatures also reached a record high, continuing a three-month period of unprecedented warmth across the world's oceans, which has significant implications for marine life, reefs, and coastal communities. The report also noted that the anticipated strong El Niño phenomenon is expected to bring unusually warm Pacific waters, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events globally, including floods, droughts, and wildfires. Scientists have attributed the extreme heat primarily to human-induced climate change. United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell commented on the report, stating that the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels is contributing to the climate crisis, and emphasized the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Long-term warming averages about 1.4°C higher than pre-industrial levels, approaching the 1.5°C limit outlined in the Paris Agreement. Last week, the UN indicated that achieving the 1.5°C goal is no longer feasible and called for accelerated greenhouse gas reductions. Texas A&M University climate scientist Andrew Dessler remarked that the continuous breaking of heat records is expected and questioned whether effective action will be taken to address the situation.
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August Records Highest Global Average Temperature Ever, According to EU Data
Data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that August 2026 recorded the highest global average temperature ever at 16.96° Celsius. The report attributes the extreme heat to human-caused climate change and highlights the significant impacts on Europe, including excess deaths and record ocean temperatures. The UN has called for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the 1.5°C climate goal becomes increasingly unattainable.
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August hottest month ever recorded, says EU monitor
August Records Highest Global Average Temperature Ever, According to EU Data