Sunday held the record for the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, but that was quickly surpassed on Monday when the global average temperature reached 17.15 degrees Celsius. Higher than normal winter temperatures in Antarctica contributed to these record-breaking temperatures. Climate scientists are not surprised by these spikes in temperatures, but they are still concerning. Bob Henson, a meteorologist, compared the increase to a slight rise in body temperature when already running a fever, saying that it is unsettling.
People worldwide have been feeling the effects of extreme heat, with places like Tehran, China, France, Florida, Athens, and Tokyo experiencing high temperatures. In California, triple-digit temperatures are raising concerns about wildfires. Additionally, Al Dhaid, a city northeast of Dubai, saw temperatures rise to 118 degrees, and parts of Spain and Portugal are under heat advisories.
The combination of climate change and El Niño has made this summer exceptionally hot, but Meteorologist Bob Henson expects La Niña to bring cooler temperatures later in the year. However, despite potential fluctuations in temperatures, the long-term forecast shows global temperatures increasing over time due to the effects of climate change. Copernicus Climate Change Service monitors global temperatures using climate reanalysis data, which combines observations and computer modeling. Their records date back to 1940, and they expect the current record to be surpassed as the event is still ongoing.
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