Earth broke all-time heat record two days in a row, scientists say – the Washington Post

Trends in annual surface temperature in the past few decades (1994-2023, bottom) compared to the trend since the start of the 20th century (Courtesy of NOAA Climate.gov, based on data provided by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, public domain)
Trends in annual surface temperature in the past few decades (1994-2023, bottom) compared to the trend since the start of the 20th century (Courtesy of NOAA Climate.gov, based on data provided by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, public domain)

Excerpt:
Global temperatures Monday were highest ever observed — breaking a record set only 24 hours earlier.

Global temperatures hit the highest levels in recorded history on Monday — breaking a record set only 24 hours earlier, according to preliminary data from Europe’s top climate monitor.

The consecutive historic days — which came on the heels of 13 straight months of unprecedented temperatures and the hottest year scientists have ever seen — are yet another worrying sign of how human-caused climate change is pushing the planet to dangerous new extremes, scientists say.

The results from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show the planet’s average temperature on July 22 was 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit) — exceeding the previous record, set on Sunday, by more than a tenth of a degree Fahrenheit.

Even before Monday’s data had been analyzed, Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said it was clear Earth was entering “uncharted territory…”

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