August 2026 Breaks Global Temperature Record
August 2026 was recorded as the hottest August in history, while El Niño conditions and record sea surface temperatures were reflected in global climate data.
August 2026 was recorded as the hottest August in the 1850-2026 data series, surpassing previous records from 2023 and 2024, and crossing a new threshold in climate data.
Global Temperature Record
August 2026 became the hottest August on record from 1850 to 2026, rising 1.32 degrees above the 20th-century average. This marked the 48th consecutive August in which global temperatures remained above average.
Continental and Seasonal Status
While the Northern Hemisphere experienced its hottest summer, North America and Africa also had their hottest Augusts in history. Asia recorded its second-hottest August.
Oceans and Tropical Storms
Global sea surface temperature reached an all-time high, while 19 tropical storms occurred in August. These storms included Hurricane Lala, which passed near Hawaii.