World Experiences Hottest August on Record

Global sea surface temperature reached an all-time observed high in August 2026.

Earth experienced its hottest August on record, according to newly released weather data from major climate-monitoring agencies.

The record was documented in monthly reports from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday that the effects were felt across the globe. The Northern Hemisphere experienced its warmest summer on record, while the Southern Hemisphere had a near-record warm winter.

Global sea-surface temperatures also reached an all-time observed high. Meanwhile, both the Arctic and Antarctic recorded below-average sea-ice coverage in August.

Global tropical cyclone activity was above average, with 19 tropical storms recorded during the month.

Heatwaves and drought

Western Europe experienced heatwaves in August, extending an exceptional period of extreme heat that began in May.

Severe drought conditions were reported in France, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and the United Kingdom. Large parts of central and eastern Europe also experienced widespread dryness, with some areas affected since May.

Water levels were exceptionally low in several major European rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Southern Bug and Dnieper.

El Niño’s role

The WMO identified El Niño as one of the drivers of August’s record climate conditions.

The weather pattern influenced tropical cyclone activity, heavy rainfall and flooding in some countries. Elsewhere, it contributed to drought conditions and increased the risk of seasonal wildfires in Indonesia, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

What the record heat means

All 10 of the warmest Augusts on record have occurred since 2016, according to the latest data.

The global average surface air temperature in August was 1.65°C above the estimated pre-industrial baseline. NOAA data also showed that the global surface temperature was 1.32°C above the 20th-century average, making it the warmest August since records began in 1850.

The WMO warned that El Niño is expected to intensify into a very strong event in the coming months, potentially affecting rainfall and temperature patterns well into 2027.

“It is now firmly established and will intensify into a very strong event in the coming months, with big impacts on rainfall and temperature patterns well into 2027,” the WMO said in its latest El Niño update.

The WMO uses datasets from Copernicus, NOAA, NASA and other organisations to monitor global climate conditions and prepare its State of the Global Climate reports.

The UN weather agency is expected to present an update on this year’s climate at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.