According to preliminary data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Sunday, July 21 was the hottest day on record globally. The global average surface air temperature reached 17.09 degrees Celsius, slightly surpassing the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius set last July. Last week, heat waves affected large parts of the US, Europe, and Russia.

Copernicus confirmed to Reuters that the daily average temperature, which set a record last year, appeared to have been exceeded on Sunday in scientific records dating back to 1940. Last year, four consecutive days from July 3 to 6 set records as climate change, fueled by fossil fuel burning, caused extreme heat in the Northern Hemisphere.

Since June 2023, every month—13 consecutive months—has been the hottest on record globally for the corresponding months in previous years, according to Copernicus. Some scientists predict that 2024 could surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record due to the combined effects of climate change and El Niño, which ended in April.

Bloomberg: Fires Threaten Mediterranean After Record-Breaking Hottest Day

At the same time, Bloomberg has published an extensive article on the high temperatures affecting southern Europe.

The world recorded its hottest day, as many areas of the Mediterranean face extreme fire risks, citing Copernicus figures. Global average temperatures have already hit or exceeded a key climate threshold for 12 months, highlighting the challenge of limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, leading to extreme weather events from floods to wildfires.

What About Greece and Spain?

Global warming is bringing hotter conditions to southern Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius over the past two weeks in Greece. This increases the threat from wildfires. In Greece, there were 33 fires in the 24 hours up to 18:30 on Monday. Athens and southern parts of the country remain on alert. Cooler weather will bring some relief this week, although temperatures are expected to top 39 degrees Celsius in parts of the mainland on Tuesday.

Spain is also at extreme fire risk this week as temperatures soar in the south of the country. Seville and Córdoba are expected to approach 43 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to the Spanish forecasting agency AEMET. Parts of southern France and Italy are also at risk of fires.