July sets record as warmest month in Earth's history

Average global surface temperature in July was 1.21C (2.18F) above the 20th-century average says, NOAA

Earth experienced its warmest July on record, marking the 14th consecutive month of record-breaking global temperatures, according to a report released by US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Monday.

The average global surface temperature in July was 1.21C (2.18F) above the 20th-century average, the report said, making it the hottest July in NOAA's 175-year global record.

Africa, Europe, and Asia experienced their warmest July on record, while North America saw its second-warmest July, it said.

The global ocean temperature was the second warmest on record, ending a streak of 15 consecutive months of record-high temperatures, according to the report.

The global surface temperature was 1.28 C (2.30F) above the 20th-century average, making it the warmest year-to-date on record, it said, adding Africa, Europe, and South America each experienced their warmest year-to-date temperatures.

The report also highlighted below-average Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent and global sea ice extent, with Antarctic ice coverage ranking second smallest on record.

“July tropical activity was below average: Seven named storms developed across the globe in July, which was below the 1991–2020 average,” it said.

NOAA is a US scientific and regulatory agency charged with forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, charting the seas, conducting deep-sea exploration, and managing fishing and protection of marine mammals and endangered species in the US exclusive economic zone.