June sizzles to a record high! Is 2024 set to be the hottest year ever?

Global Climate Report – The latest data from the US NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) indicates that global surface temperatures in June soared to 2.20°F (1.22°C) above the 20th-century average of 59.9°F (15.5°C), setting a new record for the warmest June ever recorded. This marks the 13th consecutive month of unprecedented global temperature highs, pointing towards a significant and ongoing shift in the Earth’s climatic conditions.

Regional Temperature Variations and Predictions for 2024

While most of the global land surface experienced higher than average temperatures, certain regions like western Canada, most of Greenland, and parts of Russia, Asia, and eastern Antarctica saw cooler temperatures. According to the NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a near 60% probability that 2024 will be the warmest year on record, with a certainty of it ranking within the top five warmest years.

Global Temperatures Hit Record Highs in June, Indicating a Continued Warming Trend

Oceanic and Atmospheric Conditions

The global oceans have maintained record warmth since April 2023, with sea surface temperatures continuing to rise over most areas. However, some regions in the tropical eastern and southeastern Pacific experienced below-average temperatures. Additionally, satellite data from NESDIS confirms that temperatures in the mid-troposphere—approximately 2–6 miles above the Earth’s surface—were also record warm in June.

Snow and Ice Cover

The extent of snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere was significantly reduced, marking it the 12th smallest on record for June. Similarly, global sea ice extent has dramatically decreased, with June’s figures standing as the second smallest in a 46-year record, notably lower than the 1991–2020 average. This reduction in ice and snow cover is consistent with the trends observed over the past decades, highlighting the ongoing impacts of global warming.

Tropical Cyclone Activity and Sea Ice Extent

June saw a decrease in global tropical cyclone activity, with only two named storms, which is below the average for this time of year. One of these, Hurricane Beryl, became a Category 5 hurricane—the earliest recorded at this magnitude in the Atlantic, causing severe damage across the Windward Islands.

Implications and Future Outlook

The continuous rise in global temperatures and the associated climatic changes pose serious challenges to environmental stability and human safety. The persistent warming of oceans, coupled with decreased ice covers and altered weather patterns, such as tropical cyclone activity, calls for urgent international cooperation and action in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.