August 2026 has emerged as the hottest August ever recorded globally, adding another significant marker to the continuing rise in Earth’s temperatures and highlighting the growing intensity of climate-related extremes.

According to global climate monitoring data, the average surface air temperature during August reached 16.96°C, making it the warmest August in the ERA5 record. The temperature was 0.85°C above the 1991–2020 average for August.

The month was also the joint-warmest month ever recorded across all calendar months, effectively matching July 2023. The difference between the two months was less than 0.01°C.

Temperature Crosses 1.5°C Above Pre-Industrial Level

August’s global temperature was approximately 1.65°C above the estimated 1850–1900 pre-industrial average.

It was the first month since November 2025 in which the monthly global average exceeded 1.5°C above the pre-industrial reference level.

The figure does not mean that the Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature threshold has permanently been exceeded, because that assessment is based on longer-term averages rather than an individual month.

However, the monthly record provides another indication of the exceptionally warm conditions currently affecting the planet.

Global Oceans Reach Exceptional Heat

The heat was not limited to land.

The average sea-surface temperature across the extra-polar oceans, covering latitudes between 60°S and 60°N, reached a record 21.07°C in August.

The average was higher than the previous August record of 20.98°C set in 2023.

The tropical Pacific was particularly warm as a strong El Niño event developed.

Ocean temperatures are an important part of the global climate system because warmer oceans can influence atmospheric circulation, rainfall patterns and extreme weather.

Western Europe Records Exceptional Summer Heat

Western Europe experienced its warmest summer on record during June, July and August 2026.

The average temperature across the region reached 21.69°C, approximately 2.54°C above the 1991–2020 average.

The previous record was set in 2003.

A sequence of intense heatwaves affected parts of western Europe during the summer, with exceptionally high temperatures reported across several countries.

Europe as a whole also experienced an unusually warm season, with its June–August average ranking as the third warmest in the available ERA5 record.

Heat and Drought Affect Rivers

High temperatures were accompanied by widespread dryness in parts of Europe.

Western Europe and large areas of central and eastern Europe experienced below-average rainfall, with some locations affected by dry conditions since May.

Low soil moisture and reduced rainfall contributed to drought conditions in several areas.

Major European rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Southern Bug and Dnieper, recorded exceptionally low flows in affected regions.

Low river levels can create challenges for agriculture, ecosystems, water management, transportation and other economic activities.

Wildfire Risk Increases

Climate conditions also contributed to heightened wildfire risks.

The combination of high temperatures, dry soils and reduced rainfall created favourable conditions for wildfire activity in parts of Europe.

Indonesia also faced increased seasonal wildfire risks as El Niño conditions strengthened.

The relationship between climate conditions and individual fires can vary, but prolonged heat and dryness can increase the likelihood of vegetation becoming highly flammable.

Sea Ice Remains Below Average

The Arctic and Antarctic also continued to show below-average sea-ice coverage.

Arctic sea-ice extent in August ranked 12th lowest on record for the month, while Antarctic sea ice ranked fourth lowest.

The Arctic annual minimum normally occurs in September, meaning August measurements came as the region approached its seasonal low point.

Changes in polar sea ice are closely monitored because they influence ecosystems, ocean circulation and the Earth’s energy balance.

2026 Among the Warmest Years

The record August contributed to an exceptionally warm year overall.

From January through August 2026, the year ranked as the second-warmest on record, behind 2024 in the ERA5 dataset.

The June–August global period was also tied with 2024 as the warmest boreal summer on record.

Scientists will continue monitoring temperatures during the final months of the year to determine how the full-year ranking develops.

El Niño Adds Further Climate Pressure

The emergence of a strong El Niño is another important factor behind the current climate conditions.

El Niño involves unusual warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific and can influence weather patterns far beyond the Pacific region.

Current projections indicate that the 2026 event could strengthen further, potentially affecting global temperatures and rainfall patterns into 2027.

A Growing Climate Signal

The August temperature record is one part of a wider pattern involving extreme heat, unusually warm oceans, drought, wildfire conditions and changes in polar sea ice.

The latest data demonstrate the importance of continuous climate monitoring.

Scientists rely on satellite observations, weather stations, ocean measurements and climate reanalysis systems to track these changes and identify emerging patterns.

For governments, businesses and communities, such information is increasingly important for planning around heat, water availability, agriculture, infrastructure and disaster risks.

August 2026’s record temperature therefore represents more than a single monthly statistic. It adds another significant data point to the evolving global climate record and underscores the need for continued monitoring and preparation for climate-related extremes.