Earth endured its hottest summer ever, according to a report released by European scientists on Friday morning.

“In the last three months, the world faced the hottest June and August recorded, along with the hottest single day in history, contributing to the warmest boreal summer to date,” stated Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, which made this information public.

“This series of high temperatures raises the chances of 2024 claiming the title for the hottest year on record,” she added. Last year’s temperatures set the previous highest mark in 2023. Global temperature records trace back to the 1800s.

The report comes shortly after the meteorological summer concluded, which spans from June to August. Astronomical and calendar-defined summer still have a few weeks remaining.

Continuing Streak of Above-Average Temperatures

Sadly, high temperatures are a familiar scenario: Earth has experienced over 530 consecutive months with temperatures beyond the 20th century’s average, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The recent stretch of record-breaking temperature months is both unusual and concerning.

While summers typically heat up, it’s crucial to understand that the recent extreme heat events are far from ordinary.

Burgess warned, “The extreme temperature events observed this summer will likely intensify, leading to harsher effects on both humanity and the planet unless we implement immediate measures to cut down greenhouse gas emissions.”

This Summer’s Hottest Day Occurred in July

Summer recorded the hottest day ever on July 22, 2024, based on a NASA analysis of daily temperature data globally. The preceding and following days, July 21 and 23, also surpassed the previous record set in July 2023.

These soaring temperatures stem from a long-term warming pattern primarily driven by human actions, notably greenhouse gas emissions, according to NASA.

Key Findings from the Summer 2024 Report

The report issued on Friday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service highlighted:

• The global average temperature for boreal summer (June–August) 2024 reached a record high of 1.24 degrees above the 1991-2020 average, breaking the earlier record from June–August 2023.

• Europe experienced its highest summer temperature on record, with averages 2.77 degrees above the 1991-2020 norm, surpassing the previous record set in 2022.

• Sea ice concentration anomalies were noted to be below the average in nearly all areas of the Arctic Ocean.