Top Highlights
- August was the hottest month on record globally, driven by climate change and El Nino.
- The world and US experienced their hottest summer, exceeding previous heat records.
- Climate impacts are now felt daily, with heatwaves, wildfires, and infrastructure damage increasing.
- Fossil fuel burning powers global warming, with natural El Nino effects amplifying temperatures further.
August 2026 Sets New Global Temperature Records
Earth experienced its hottest month on record in August 2026, according to the European climate service Copernicus. The global average temperature reached 62.53°F (16.96°C), just one-hundredth of a degree above July 2023’s record. Because this difference falls within measurement uncertainty, it’s considered a tie, but the overall trend shows continuous warming. August’s heat pushed the world and the United States into the hottest summer measured in the Northern Hemisphere.
This extreme heat is driven by two main factors: human-caused climate change and a powerful El Nino event. The combination has caused temperatures to skyrocket past pre-industrial levels. August’s global ocean temperatures also tied a record set in March 2024, and the seas recorded their hottest day ever on August 22. These rising temperatures are clearly outside the natural variation seen just ten years ago.
In the U.S., August’s heat broke over half a degree Fahrenheit of previous records with an average temperature of 75.58°F (24.21°C). Daytime highs soared to an average of 88.56°F (31.42°C). Summer overall in the Lower 48 states was hotter than during the Dust Bowl era of 1936 for the first time on record. The summer’s high temperatures underscore the rapid acceleration of climate change, with the eight hottest months now all occurring since July 2023.
Natural Variability Meets Human Impact
While El Nino, a natural climate pattern that warms parts of the Pacific Ocean, contributes to global heating, experts agree human activities are the main driver behind these record-breaking temperatures. The release of greenhouse gases from burning coal, oil, and natural gas traps more heat in the atmosphere. Climate scientists emphasize that El Nino adds only a small fraction—about one or two tenths of a degree Celsius—to the global temperature. The majority of the warming stems from fossil fuel use.
This El Nino event is also forecasted to intensify, likely breaking previous records. Experts warn that as global temperatures rise, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and wildfires, will increase. Many scientists project that 2026 could surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record, with 2027 possibly reaching even higher temperatures, potentially as much as 1.8°C (3.2°F) above preindustrial levels.
Addressing the climate crisis involves practical steps, such as transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, many also recognize the challenges in balancing economic needs and technological solutions. As temperatures climb, the impact on health, infrastructure, and economies will grow more severe, driven by the ongoing reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources. The scientific consensus is clear: reducing fossil fuel emissions is essential to slow down and mitigate further temperature increases.
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