Record-Breaking Heat
July 22, 2024, has officially become the Earth’s hottest day on record, with a staggering daily global average temperature of 17.16°C. These figures were disclosed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and validated by NASA’s data.
This new high surpasses the previous global temperature record of 17.09°C, which was set just a day earlier on July 21, 2024. The rapid succession of record-breaking temperatures highlights the exceptional heat wave experienced in recent times.
The trend of soaring temperatures did not begin this year; on July 6, 2023, the global average temperature had already reached 17.08°C, setting a record back then. This phenomenon is part of a string of record-breaking heat waves occurring over consecutive Julys.
Notably, the period from late June to early August is typically the peak season for global temperatures due to the summer in the northern hemisphere.
Underlying Factors and Implications
One of the significant contributors to the unusually high global average temperature is the above-average heat over large areas of Antarctica and the low extent of Antarctic sea ice. These conditions are similar to those observed in early July 2023.
The persistent rise in global temperatures aligns with the long-term warming trend predominantly caused by human-induced activities that result in the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
The data backing these findings come from NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2), and the Goddard Earth Observing System Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) systems. The European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme has also played a critical role in gathering these insights.
These systems integrate millions of global observations from various instruments placed on land, sea, and air, including satellites, leveraging atmospheric models to deliver accurate global temperature data.
This year stands out as the hottest on record, with the past two weeks being exceptionally severe. In fact, the world has experienced thirteen consecutive months of record-breaking monthly temperatures. These observations underline the pressing reality of climate change impacts such as increased frequency of heatwaves, diminishing sea ice, melting glaciers and ice sheets, and rising sea levels.
NASA and other climate monitoring organizations have expressed a sense of urgency in addressing climate change. They advocate for sustainable practices and a collective global response to mitigate ongoing and future consequences of rising temperatures.
The record-breaking temperatures observed on July 22, 2024, serve as a stark reminder of the immediate need for action against climate change.
Add a Comment