On Monday, July 3rd, the world reached a new pinnacle of heat, with the average temperature surpassing 17 degrees Celsius for the first time since records began.
Scientists assert that this measurement is the highest recorded since the late 19th century, marking an unprecedented milestone in the history of instrumental climate data.
The extreme heat can be attributed to a combination of the El Niño weather phenomenon and the continuous release of carbon dioxide emissions.
Experts predict that further temperature records will be broken in the coming months as El Niño intensifies.
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Since the beginning of this year, researchers have become increasingly alarmed by the rapid rise in temperatures on land and in the oceans.
Spain and numerous Asian countries experienced record-breaking heat during spring, followed by unexpected marine heatwaves in regions unaccustomed to such phenomena, including the North Sea.
China has been enduring an enduring heatwave this week, with some areas experiencing temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Likewise, the southern United States has been subjected to oppressive conditions.
In light of these circumstances, the global average temperature on July 3rd reached 17.01 degrees Celsius, according to the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
This broke the previous record of 16.92 degrees Celsius, which had stood since August 2016.
Monday's high temperature is not only the warmest since satellite monitoring began in 1979, but experts also believe it is the highest since comprehensive instrumental records were established towards the end of the 19th century.
Researchers assert that this new global temperature record is a result of the simultaneous occurrence of the naturally recurring El Niño event and ongoing carbon dioxide emissions resulting from human activities.
The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), as it is scientifically known, has three distinct phases: warm, cold, or neutral. It is the most powerful fluctuation in the Earth's climate system.
In June, scientists confirmed the presence of El Niño conditions. This implies that additional heat is now rising to the surface of the Pacific Ocean, elevating the global temperature.
"The average global surface air temperature reaching 17 degrees Celsius for the first time since we have reliable records available is a significant symbolic milestone in our warming world," stated climate researcher Leon Simons.
"Now that the warmer phase of El Niño is starting, we can expect a multitude of daily, monthly, and annual records to be broken in the next 1.5 years."
In addition to this record-breaking temperature, June has been officially declared as the hottest June on the global record.
Average temperatures across the planet were 1.46 degrees Celsius above the average for the period between 1850 and 1900.
Chart showing temperatures recorded in June since 1890
The impacts of high temperatures are being felt at the extreme ends of the Earth as well. In Antarctica, the July temperature record was recently shattered, with a reading of 8.7 degrees Celsius recorded at Ukraine's Vernadsky Research base.
With El Niño expected to intensify in the coming months, it is highly likely that more temperature records will be shattered as the northern hemisphere summer progresses. Photo by Manju Shakya, Wikimedia commons.