Global temperatures have accelerated to record-setting levels this month, an ominous sign in the climate crisis ahead of a gathering El Niño that could potentially propel 2023 to become the hottest year ever recorded.
Global temperatures are likely to surge to record levels in the next five years, fuelled by heat-trapping greenhouse gases and a naturally occurring El Niño event, according to a new update issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Preliminary global average temperatures taken so far in June are nearly 1C (1.8F) above levels previously recorded for the same month, going back to 1979. While the month is not yet complete and may not set a new June record, climate scientists say it follows a pattern of strengthening global heating that could see this year named the hottest ever recorded, topping 2016.
Record temperatures across continents
Parts of Europe, Asia and North America are preparing for scorching heat on Monday that threatens to break records, drive wildfires and has prompted health warnings and evacuations.
Europe could record its hottest-ever temperature this week on Italy’s islands of Sicily and Sardinia where a high of 48C (118F) is predicted, the European Space Agency said.
The US National Weather Service warned a “widespread and oppressive” heatwave in southern and western states was expected to peak, with more than 80 million people affected by excessive heat warnings or heat advisories on Sunday.
California’s Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C on Sunday. Southern California is fighting numerous wildfires.
Japan has issued heatstroke alerts affecting tens of millions of people, as near-record high temperatures hit several parts of the country, with other areas pummelled by torrential rain.
South Korea’s president has vowed to “completely overhaul” the country’s approach to extreme weather from climate change, as the death toll from flooding and landslides rose to 40.
The UK’s met office said that China had provisionally recorded its highest temperature ever on Sunday. It said Sanbao, in western Xinjiang region, reached 52.2C. The met office did not provide a source for the temperature, which was not reported by Chinese state media.
Global sea surface temperatures (SST) reached a new record anomaly on Sunday. The global SST of 20.98C (69.76F) is a record 0.638C hotter than the 1991-20 mean. This comes as the world recorded its hottest week on record – following the hottest June on record.
The US’s climate envoy John Kerry said it was “imperative that China and the United States make real progress” in the four months before the Cop28 global climate talks in Dubai, as he met his counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, in the Chinese capital on Monday. He also urged China to partner with the US to cut methane emissions and reduce the climate impact of coal-fired power.
Severe tropical storm Talim is forecast to make landfall as a typhoon in the south of China on Monday night, the country’s weather forecaster said, with local authorities cancelling flights, recalling ships and warning residents to stay home.
