Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

August Tied for Hottest Month on Record Globally

August 2023 matched July 2023 as the hottest month recorded globally since 1940, with temperatures nearly 3 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels.

The global average surface air temperature in August was 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the 2.7-degree threshold set by the Paris Agreement. Climate scientists attribute these extremes to climate change impacting both atmosphere and oceans, with consequences felt worldwide.

Western Europe and the contiguous U.S. experienced their hottest summers on record, with significant heatwaves contributing to thousands of deaths. The U.S. saw its warmest August since 1895.

Record-high sea surface temperatures were also observed outside polar regions. Many areas globally, including parts of Asia, South America, and Australia, experienced drier-than-average conditions.

Scientists suggest the record heat resulted from a combination of a strengthening El Niño and human-caused global warming from fossil fuel use. El Niño alone is not the sole cause.

A recent study indicates that naturally occurring El Niño climate swings have intensified in recent decades, likely due to planetary warming.

A UN report warns that exceeding the Paris Agreement's 2.7-degree threshold may be unavoidable, emphasizing the need to minimize peak warming and develop strategies for temperature reduction.

Experts stress that continued burning of fossil fuels will lead to more record-breaking months and worsening extreme weather, urging a transition away from coal, oil, and gas.

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