August 2026 hottest month on record globally, Copernicus confirms

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported Thursday that August 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded globally, with an average air temperature of 16.96°C. This surpasses the previous record of 16.95°C set in July 2023 by just 0.01°C, leading Copernicus to classify the two months as joint-highest.

Global sea surface temperatures also hit a new daily high and matched the warmest August on record, extending a three-month streak of unprecedented ocean warmth. Over 90 percent of excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases has been absorbed by the oceans, stressing marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

“The evidence is irrefutable: this is the spiralling price of humanity's fossil fuel addiction.”

Europe experienced its warmest summer on record from June through August, tying 2024 for the hottest summer globally. The U.S. weather service separately reported the hottest summer in 130 years for the United States.

Scientists say human activity — primarily burning coal, oil and gas — has warmed the planet roughly 1.4°C since pre-industrial times. Greenhouse gas emissions reached new highs in 2025, and the current period is likely the warmest in at least 100,000 years.