Record-Breaking Heatwave and Unprecedented Ocean Temperatures Lead to Hottest June Ever Recorded

The month of June 2023 has been declared the warmest ever recorded globally, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by a substantial margin. This startling revelation comes from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, an institution responsible for monitoring the global climate in near real time.

The news follows closely on the heels of the world breaking its record for the hottest day ever for two days consecutively. The onset of El Niño conditions, a weather pattern associated with variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, is being blamed for June's record heatwaves.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed the onset of El Niño conditions, and scientists believe that it will push global temperatures "off the charts" later this year and in early 2024. This development has serious implications for marine life, fish stocks, and millions of jobs worldwide, as rising ocean temperatures can result in more catastrophic extreme weather events and unparalleled cascading effects, such as sea level rise, marine heatwaves, and ocean acidification.

Northwest Europe experienced a historic heatwave during June, with the UK experiencing its hottest and much drier than usual June on record. Category 4 ('Extreme') marine heatwave conditions occurred around much of the UK, while a marine heatwave hitting the West of Ireland was classified as Category 5 ('Beyond Extreme').

Beijing saw its hottest June day late last month, with the mercury reaching 106F (41.1C). Similarly, several extreme marine heatwaves were recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean last month. Northern parts of China are currently battling with a historic, prolonged heatwave that is threatening energy supplies and has prompted authorities to issue the highest-level heat warning for the first time in nine years.

The German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst) presented results from about 2,000 measuring stations confirming June 2023 as the warmest June ever. The interplay between local and global variability alongside the climate trends is crucial for understanding and managing the complexities of the Earth system.

Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, emphasized the importance of this understanding, stating that it is essential to better manage risks and design efficient adaptation policies. As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, global climate monitoring and understanding the complexities of the Earth system have never been more important.

Record-Breaking Heatwave and Unprecedented Ocean Temperatures Lead to Hottest June Ever Recorded