World records second-hottest July on record, WMO reports

The world recorded its second-hottest July on record, with extreme heat, prolonged drought, and wildfires affecting large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, whilst heavy rain and flooding struck other regions, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday (11/8).

The global average surface air temperature for July reached 1.47 degrees Celsius above the estimated pre-industrial average for the 1850-1900 period, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, as cited by the WMO.

Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record, with extreme heat continuing into August and some countries now facing their fourth heatwave since May.

“What we have witnessed over the past few months is the combined effect of long-term warming with alternating high- and low-pressure systems persisting across the Northern Hemisphere,” said WMO Head of Climate Information John Kennedy.

Kennedy explained that high-pressure systems are typically associated with high temperatures and dry conditions, whilst low-pressure systems tend to bring cooler and wetter weather. He noted that such high-pressure patterns can persist for days or even weeks, as has occurred this year.

Very low rainfall and soil moisture were reported in France, Spain, parts of Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as areas further east.

The WMO explained that the heat, low soil moisture, and drought have had severe impacts on ecosystems and agriculture, lowering river levels, disrupting transport and energy production, and increasing the risk of wildfires. July also saw devastating wildfire events in Western Europe, both in terms of the area burned and the emissions produced.