Earth Registers Second-Hottest July On Record, Fueled By Unprecedented Ocean Temperatures
July 2026 tied with 2024 as the second-warmest July ever recorded globally, with average temperatures reaching 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The UN agency said July 2023 remains the warmest July on record, while July 2026 also recorded the highest global ocean surface temperatures ever observed for the month. Global Heat Intensifies Across Multiple Regions The latest data highlights the continued intensity of global warming, with extreme temperatures affecting large parts of the Northern Hemisphere. WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis said meteorological services, emergency response teams and health professionals remain heavily engaged because of the range of extreme weather events occurring around the world. The current conditions extend beyond heat, with extreme rainfall and tropical cyclones also affecting different regions. Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record. Countries including Switzerland and France have already faced their fourth heatwave of the summer. Drought And Wildfire Risks Increase Persistent heat and limited rainfall have intensified drought conditions across parts of Europe. WMO climate information chief John Kennedy said the combination of heat and low rainfall has contributed to drought, falling river levels and increased wildfire risks. Major European rivers, including the Seine, Rhine and Danube, have experienced low flows, creating additional pressure on agriculture, transport and energy systems. Wildfire activity has also increased significantly. According to data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, western Europe experienced exceptional wildfire activity in July in terms of both the area burned and emissions. France is on course for one of its most extreme wildfire years of the past 24 years, while its year-to-date fire emissions are comparable to or higher than levels recorded during the severe fire years of 2022 and 2023. Spain is also experiencing fire emissions well above the seasonal average. Extreme Weather Spreads Beyond Europe The heat is not limited to Europe. Japan and South Korea experienced exceptional and record-breaking temperatures, while extreme conditions were also reported across parts of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. North America has also been affected by widespread wildfires. Fires continue to burn across parts of the western United States, while Canada reported 591 active fires, including 43 classified as out of control. At the same time, heavy monsoon rainfall has caused flooding in parts of West Africa, demonstrating the increasingly varied nature of extreme weather conditions. Flooding Threatens Parts Of South Asia WMO’s weekly Global Hydromet Scan has warned of heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides across several parts of South and Southeast Asia. The areas identified include eastern Pakistan, northeastern and western India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and parts of Southeast Asia. China also carried out mass evacuations ahead of the landfall of Typhoon Dolphin, which was identified as the 13th storm of the season. These developments highlight how extreme heat is occurring alongside other potentially destructive weather events rather than replacing them. Atmospheric Patterns Are Amplifying Extreme Conditions According to Kennedy, recent weather extremes reflect the combined influence of long-term global warming and a persistent pattern of alternating high- and low-pressure systems across the Northern Hemisphere. High-pressure systems are generally associated with hotter and drier conditions because descending air warms and reduces cloud formation. This allows more sunlight to reach the surface and can prevent cooler air from moving into affected areas. When these systems remain in place for days or weeks, extreme heat and drought conditions can become more severe. El Niño Could Push Temperatures Higher The WMO said El Niño is now established in the Pacific and expects global temperatures to rise further. Historically, the global temperature peak tends to follow the peak of El Niño, which usually occurs between November and January. This could create additional challenges for countries already dealing with heatwaves, drought, wildfires, flooding and other extreme weather conditions. Early Warning Systems Remain A Priority With extreme weather becoming an increasingly significant global risk, the WMO and its member countries are working to improve forecasting capabilities and early-warning systems. Nullis stressed that the Early Warnings for All initiative remains the organisation’s overriding priority. The latest July temperature record reinforces the importance of improving preparedness, particularly for communities exposed to extreme heat, floods, wildfires and other climate-related hazards. The WMO data also underscores a broader concern: global warming is increasingly being experienced not simply through rising average temperatures, but through a combination of interconnected and increasingly disruptive weather extremes.