The summer months of 2024 were not only the hottest on record but also marked by prolonged periods of high temperatures. The Copernicus service notes: “What we are experiencing is not just numbers in a record book, but weather that affects people’s lives.”
Unprecedented Heat
This summer will be remembered for its intense heat. According to data from Copernicus, 2024 was the hottest summer ever recorded. The high temperatures, which began before the official start of summer, persisted throughout the season, making conditions unbearable for people and ecosystems alike.
What’s even more alarming is that high temperatures continued into the first week of September, setting record highs in northern European areas like Slovenia. Scientists warn that this heat may not be over yet, as the “heat dome” phenomenon seen in 2023 could repeat, leading to heat waves continuing into September and October.
Record Heat Observations
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service documented the highest temperatures ever recorded globally for the northern hemisphere’s summer, surpassing previous records set in 2023. Data from Copernicus indicates that the global average temperature from June to August was 16.8°C, which is 0.69°C above the 1991-2020 average.
Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the service, highlighted that during the last three months of 2024, the planet experienced the warmest June and August ever recorded. She emphasized that without urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, these extreme weather patterns will only become more severe. The primary cause of climate change, she pointed out, is emissions from fossil fuel consumption.
Summer 2024 Records
The report shows that August 2024 was the hottest on record, with the average surface air temperature reaching 16.82°C, 0.71°C above the August average from 1991-2020. It was also 1.51°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the 13th month in a 14-month period where global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Warmest Year on Record?
It’s not just about the summer. The global average temperature over the past 12 months (September 2023 – August 2024) is the highest ever recorded for any 12 months, surpassing the 1991-2020 average by 0.76°C and exceeding the pre-industrial average by 1.64°C. The Copernicus data suggests that 2024 is on track to be the warmest year ever unless there is a significant reduction in global temperatures by the end of the year.
Drought in Europe
While western and northern Europe experienced wetter-than-average conditions, much of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe faced drier-than-average conditions, some of which were linked to drought. In Greece, preliminary meteorological data indicates that the summer of 2024 was not only the hottest on record but also featured long periods of high temperatures. The average temperature in parts of western and northern Greece was 2 to 3°C above normal, reaching up to 4°C higher in some areas.
Why is the Planet Heating Up?
The global rise in temperatures can largely be attributed to human-caused climate change, with emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas consumption playing a significant role. While part of the recent heat is linked to the “El Niño” phenomenon, which temporarily warms parts of the Pacific, the primary driver remains the long-term impact of human activity on the climate.
Urgent Warnings from Scientists
As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are issuing more urgent warnings. They emphasize that the extreme heat we are currently experiencing is just a preview of what lies ahead if no significant changes are made to address climate change. According to experts, future summers are likely to be even hotter unless substantial efforts are made to reduce global emissions.
