Weather & Science
Scorching August Sets World on Path Toward One of Hottest Years on Record
- Four continents and oceans posted record heat last month
- Earth’s oceans set fifth-straight monthly record for heat
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The world had its warmest August in at least 174 years, increasing the odds that 2023 will go down as one of the hottest years on record.
Asia, Africa, North America and South America each had their warmest August in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s data. Last month also set a new benchmark for the highest monthly sea-surface temperatures, extending a string of record highs for the world’s oceans to five months, the US agency said Thursday in a statement. Widespread heat meant 13% of the Earth’s surface sweltered in record warmth in August, the highest percentage going back to 1951.