Global Temperatures Reach Unprecedented High
**On July 21, 2024, the global average surface air temperature reached a record-breaking 17.09 degrees Celsius, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This surpasses the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius set in July 2023. **
Climate Change and El Niño Fuel Rising Temperatures
Preliminary data from C3S indicates that 2024 could surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record. Climate change, combined with the natural weather phenomenon El Niño, has contributed to the surge in global temperatures. June 2024 was also the hottest June on record.
Heatwaves Sweep Across the Globe
**Heatwaves have engulfed vast regions of the United States, Europe, and Russia in recent weeks. Spain is experiencing its first official heatwave of the year, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. Hot air from North Africa has spread across the Mediterranean Sea, pushing into central and southern Spain. **
Wildfires Ravage Greece Amidst Scorching Temperatures
**Greece has been battling a prolonged heatwave, reaching its peak on July 17-18. Temperatures soared to 43 degrees Celsius in several areas, with nighttime temperatures in some parts of Athens remaining above 30 degrees Celsius for the past 10 days. On July 18, firefighters tackled two large wildfires near Thessaloniki and on the island of Kea, near Athens. "We are urging people to be extremely careful, as the risk of serious forest fires is very high in the coming days," said Pavlos Marinakis, a Greek government spokesperson. **
Serbia Faces Record Energy Demand Due to Air Conditioning
**On July 16, Serbia's state-owned power company reported record electricity consumption due to heavy reliance on air conditioning. **
Europe Braces for August Heatwave
**Moving northward, Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France, are expected to face scorching temperatures in early August. Average temperatures in the German capital are forecast to reach 28 degrees Celsius on August 6, 8 degrees Celsius higher than the 30-year average. **
Summary
**The world experienced its hottest day ever on July 21, 2024, with global average surface air temperatures reaching a record-breaking 17.09 degrees Celsius. This extreme heat is a stark reminder of the accelerating effects of climate change. Heatwaves across the globe, coupled with the natural phenomenon of El Niño, have pushed temperatures to unprecedented levels. Wildfires are raging in Greece, fueled by the scorching heat, and Serbia is grappling with record energy consumption due to air conditioning. As the summer continues, Europe is bracing for a heatwave in early August, with temperatures in Berlin and Paris expected to soar. **