Recent reports from leading climate organizations have confirmed what many around the world have felt: July 2023 was not just another summer month; it was Earth’s hottest July ever recorded. This alarming milestone, documented by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and NASA, underscores the accelerating pace of climate change and its tangible impacts across the globe. This article delves into the key findings of these reports, exploring why July has become such a critical month in understanding our planet’s changing climate.
Record-Breaking July Temperatures Across the Globe
The data is unequivocal: July 2023 shattered previous temperature records. Globally averaged surface air temperature measurements for July 2023 surpassed all prior Julys since records began, and even exceeded the previous warmest month ever recorded – July 2019 – by a significant margin of 0.33°C (0.59°F). This wasn’t just a slight increase; it was a dramatic surge that propelled July 2023 into uncharted territory.
Global surface temperature anomalies for July months from 1940 to 2023, illustrating the increasing trend of warmer Julys, with 2023 in dark red representing the hottest July on record.
The extreme heat was not confined to a single region. Asia, Africa, and South America all experienced their warmest Julys on record. South America, in particular, witnessed its highest monthly temperature anomaly ever recorded for any month, highlighting the widespread and intense nature of the heatwave. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres ominously declared that “the era of global warming has ended” and “the era of global boiling has arrived,” a stark warning echoing the severity of these findings. July’s temperature was estimated to be approximately 1.5°C (2.7°F) warmer than the pre-industrial average (1850-1900), a threshold that scientists warn against exceeding to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Unprecedented Ocean Heat in July
The land wasn’t the only area experiencing record heat; the world’s oceans also reached unprecedented temperatures in July 2023. Global average sea surface temperatures continued their alarming climb, maintaining unusually high levels since April and reaching record highs in July. For the entire month, sea surface temperatures were a staggering 0.51°C (0.92°F) above the 1991-2020 average.
Daily global sea surface temperature anomalies from 1979 to July 2023, showing the sharp increase in 2023 sea temperatures, exceeding even the previous record year of 2016.
The North Atlantic was particularly affected, with temperatures 1.05°C (1.89°F) above average in July. Marine heatwaves, detrimental to marine ecosystems, developed in various ocean basins, including south of Greenland and in the Labrador Sea, the Caribbean, and across the Mediterranean Sea. This record ocean heat is occurring at the onset of an El Niño event, a climate pattern known to further elevate global temperatures, suggesting that even higher temperatures and more severe marine heatwaves could be expected, particularly in 2024.
Sea Ice Coverage Plummets to Record Lows in July
Adding to the concerning climate indicators, July 2023 witnessed the lowest global July sea ice extent ever recorded. Globally, sea ice coverage in July 2023 was a staggering 1,217,294 square kilometers (470,000 square miles) less than the previous record low from July 2019.
Antarctic sea ice coverage was especially alarming, ranking lowest on record for the third consecutive month. It was approximately 2.59 million square kilometers (1 million square miles) – an area roughly the size of Argentina – below the 1991–2020 average. This deficit was also 1,502,190 square kilometers (580,000 square miles) below the previous record low from July 2022, indicating a rapidly accelerating decline. While Arctic sea ice extent was the 12th smallest in the satellite record for July 2023, the overall global sea ice picture for July paints a grim scenario.
Hydrological Anomalies in July: Wetter and Drier Regions
The climate anomalies in July extended beyond temperature and ice, influencing global hydrological patterns as well. While some regions experienced unusually wet conditions, others faced severe dryness. Northern Europe and a large area stretching from the Black Sea and Ukraine to northwestern Russia were wetter than average in July 2023.
Map highlighting significant global climate anomalies for July, indicating regions experiencing unusually wet and dry conditions, alongside temperature extremes.
Conversely, the Mediterranean basin suffered from drier-than-average conditions, with Italy and southeastern Europe experiencing the most significant anomalies. Outside of Europe, northeastern North America, Afghanistan, Pakistan, northeastern China, northern and eastern Australia, and Chile were wetter than usual. Extratropical regions experiencing drier conditions included Mexico and the southwestern United States, central and southeastern Asia, southwestern Australia, and parts of southern Brazil and Paraguay. These contrasting hydrological conditions further illustrate the disruptive impacts of climate change on regional weather patterns.
Conclusion: July as a Bellwether for Climate Change
The climate reports are clear and concerning: July 2023 was a month of unprecedented climate extremes, setting new records for global temperatures, ocean heat, and sea ice loss. These records are not just numbers; they represent real-world impacts on ecosystems and human populations, and serve as a stark warning about the accelerating climate crisis. As concentrations of greenhouse gases continue to rise, experts anticipate that these warming trends will persist and temperature records will continue to be broken. Understanding What Month Is July in the context of our changing climate is no longer just about seasonality; it’s about recognizing a critical period where the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly pronounced and undeniable.
References:
- EU Copernicus Climate Change report: https://climate.copernicus.eu/july-2023-warmest-month-earths-recent-history
- NASA July monthly climate report: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-clocks-july-2023-as-hottest-month-on-record-ever-since-1880
- NOAA July monthly climate report: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-202307
