Climate Adaptation

October Was the Hottest on Record for Europe

Copernicus reports October global temperatures were the third-highest

Heading for the new MOSAiC ice floe, Polarstern takes the shortest way to the area of interest: via the North Pole. On tghe way north, the sea ice is surprisingly weak, has lots of melt ponds, and Polarstern is able to easily break it. Alfred-Wegener-Institut, HelmholAlfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmhol

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By Todd Gillespie

November 5, 2020 at 10:54 AM UTC

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Last month was the warmest October for Europe on record, with Arctic sea ice retreating as northern regions in particular felt the effects of rising air temperatures.

Europe was 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.9 degrees Fahrenheit) above its 30-year historical average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Global temperatures 0.62 degrees Celsius higher than average made last month the world’s third-warmest October on record, extending a multi-year warming trend.