The Earth Just Saw Its Warmest August Ever, Ocean Temperatures Hit All-Time High

Last Updated:September 10, 2026, 1:52 PM IST

The average global temperature for last 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 was 1.48°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average as per EU’s Climate Monitoring Service

Scientists highlight that August was in fact 0.06°C warmer than July, which is unusual, as July is typically the warmest calendar month of the year globally.

The world just experienced its warmest August on record, with an average surface air temperature of 16.96°C, surpassing the previous joint records set in 2023 and 2024, the Copernicus Climate Change Service has said.

According to data released by the European Union (EU)’s climate monitoring service on Thursday, the warming was unprecedented, with the period from June to August declared the joint warmest on record globally, on par with 2024, which remains the hottest year recorded globally.

This also follows the latest monthly assessment done by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which found August 2026 to be the warmest August for India since 1901, with average monthly night-time temperatures also the highest in 125 years.

Scientists highlight that August was in fact 0.06°C warmer than July, which is unusual, as July is typically the warmest calendar month of the year globally. This has occurred only four other times: in 1945, 1951, 1955, and 1985, as per the ERA5 dataset produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) which operates Copernicus Climate Change Service.

HURTLING TOWARDS 1.5°C WARMING

The data shows that average global temperature for the last 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 was 1.48°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average pushing the world closer to the climate crisis. “Looking at the year so far, 2026 currently ranks as the second-warmest year on record based on the average global temperature from January to August, behind 2024 and ahead of 2023,” said the scientists.

This also follows the latest United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report which found that global temperatures are set to cross 1.5°C likely within the next few years, pushing climate risks to increasingly dangerous levels.

A STRONG EL NINO DEVELOPING

Not just the land, but the average sea surface temperatures across the extra-polar ocean was 21.07°C in August 2026, the highest value recorded for the month, which exceeded the previous August record of 20.98°C, set in 2023.

This comes as strong El Niño conditions are developing in 2026, and latest forecasts suggest that the 2026 El Niño will strengthen further and become stronger than the 2023 event, increasing the potential for high global temperatures during the rest of 2026. “If the last four months of 2026 are as warm as in 2023 when the last El Niño developed, then its annual average would be close to that of 2024, the current warmest year on record,” the team warned.

This has serious consequences for the world, as rising global temperatures are known to increase the frequency, intensity and severity of extreme weather events worldwide. India is already staring at a below bar monsoon season this year, with IMD predicting it to be less than 90 per cent of the long period average (LPA). Over 47 per cent of the total 741 districts are currently reeling under deficient rains, with the all-India deficit at -14 per cent.

RECORD-BREAKING SUMMER FOR EUROPE

This unusual warmth was associated with heatwave conditions across parts of Europe, with August concluding a record-breaking summer for much of western Europe. The average summer temperatures were highest since at least 1979 across virtually all of England, Wales and Belgium, as well as most of France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Austria, it stated.

Temperatures were much higher than average across France, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and much of the Balkans, generally by 3-5°C, shows data.

“The EU’s summer of hellish heat comes on top of the ongoing fossil fuel cost crisis and both are driving up prices for households, businesses and governments, in a deathly double-blow,” said UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell at the European Parliament Committee, highlighting that climate impacts are fuelling forced migration, internally and across national borders, taking a dire human toll. “And the costs of the climate crisis are spiraling. Disasters are pushing up insurance premiums. Leaving some entirely uninsurable.”

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What was the Earth’s average surface air temperature in August 2026, and how did it compare to previous records?

The Earth’s average surface air temperature in August 2026 was 16.96°C, making it the warmest August on record. This surpassed previous joint records set in 2023 and 2024, and was even 0.06°C warmer than July 2026, which is typically the warmest month globally.

How did ocean temperatures fare in August 2026, and what factors contributed to these levels?

The average sea surface temperature across the extra-polar ocean reached 21.07°C in August 2026, the highest value recorded for that month. This exceeded the previous August record of 20.98°C set in 2023 and was influenced by strong El Niño conditions developing in 2026. On August 22, 2026, global ocean temperatures hit 21.1°C.

What were the impacts of the record-breaking August 2026 temperatures on Europe?

August 2026 concluded a record-breaking summer for much of Western Europe, with heatwave conditions across parts of the continent. Average summer temperatures were the highest since at least 1979 in many regions, including England, Wales, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. These high temperatures were generally 3-5°C above average in several countries.

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Srishti ChoudharyAssociate Editor

Srishti Choudhary, Associate Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground r…Read More

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