What pushed August into the global temperature record books?
Scientists reported on September 10 that August 2026 tied for the hottest month ever recorded globally.
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service measured an average global temperature of 16.96°C in August, making it the first month since 2025 to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1] Copernicus said August 2026 tied July 2023 as the hottest month on record, while August sea-surface temperatur…
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service measured an average global temperature of 16.96°C in August, making it the first month since 2025 to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1] Copernicus said August 2026 tied July 2023 as the hottest month on record, while August sea-surface temperatures also reached a record high.[2]
Why it matters: Human-caused climate change remains the main driver of the elevated temperatures, and the record occurred alongside climate-related disasters around the world.[1] The heat was measured before the developing El Niño had reached full strength, leaving the interaction between persistent human-driven warming and the Pacific climate cycle important to monitor.[2]
Key insights: August’s global average reached 16.96°C.[1] | The month reached 1.65°C above pre-industrial temperatures in the Copernicus comparison.[2] | August 2026 tied July 2023 for the highest global monthly temperature in the Copernicus record.[2] | Global sea-surface temperatures set an August record.[1][2]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: August became the joint-hottest month on record and crossed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1][2] | Why now: Human-caused climate change was the main driver, while a developing El Niño had not yet reached full strength.[1][2] | Watch next: Track Copernicus monthly global and sea-surface temperature measurements as El Niño develops.[1][2]
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service measured an average global temperature of 16.96°C in August, making it the first month since 2025 to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1] Copernicus said August 2026 tied July 2023 as the hottest month on record, while August sea-surface temperatures also reached a record high.[2]
Why it matters: Human-caused climate change remains the main driver of the elevated temperatures, and the record occurred alongside climate-related disasters around the world.[1] The heat was measured before the developing El Niño had reached full strength, leaving the interaction between persistent human-driven warming and the Pacific climate cycle important to monitor.[2]
Key insights: August’s global average reached 16.96°C.[1] | The month reached 1.65°C above pre-industrial temperatures in the Copernicus comparison.[2] | August 2026 tied July 2023 for the highest global monthly temperature in the Copernicus record.[2] | Global sea-surface temperatures set an August record.[1][2]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: August became the joint-hottest month on record and crossed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1][2] | Why now: Human-caused climate change was the main driver, while a developing El Niño had not yet reached full strength.[1][2] | Watch next: Track Copernicus monthly global and sea-surface temperature measurements as El Niño develops.[1][2]