June 2024 marks 12th month of global temperatures at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
For the globe as a whole, it was the warmest June in the ERA5 record and the 13th month in a row that was the warmest in the ERA5 record for the respective month of the year. Although this is unusual, a similar series of monthly global temperature records was seen in 2015–2016.
The global-average surface air temperature was 16.66°C; 0.67°C above the 1991–2020 average for the month and 0.14°C above the previous high set in June 2023. The ongoing monthly temperature records are reflected in the global-average temperature for the past 12 months, which is also the highest on record, at 0.76°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.64°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average.
The average sea surface temperature (SST) over 60°S–60°N for June was also the highest on record for the month, at 20.85°C. This is the 15th month in a row that the SST has been the warmest in the ERA5 data record for the respective month of the year.
"June marks the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking global temperatures, and the 12th in a row above 1.5°C with respect to pre-industrial. This is more than a statistical oddity and it highlights a large and continuing shift in our climate. Even if this specific streak of extremes ends at some point, we are bound to see new records being broken as the climate continues to warm. This is inevitable, unless we stop adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the oceans,” said Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
In Europe, the average temperature for June 2024 was 1.57°C above the 1991–2020 average, making the month the joint-second warmest June on record for the region. Temperatures were most above average over southeastern regions and Türkiye, but near or below average over western Europe, Iceland and northwestern Russia.
The month was wetter than average over parts of North America, with a series of storms, including Hurricane Beryl, which became a major hurricane at the end of June and went on to impact several areas in early July. It was also wetter than average over southwestern and southeastern Asia, southernmost Africa, and parts of Australia and South America.
In Europe, June was wetter than average over Iceland, as well as central and most of southwestern Europe. Heavy precipitation led to floods in parts of Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland.
Drier-than-average conditions were seen across parts of North America, several regions of Asia and most of South America. Severe wildfires occurred in northeastern Russia and central South America.
It was also drier than average over Ireland, most of the UK, Fennoscandia, southern Italy and much of Eastern Europe, particularly around the Black Sea.
Arctic sea ice extent in June was 3% below average. This is close to the values observed in most years since 2010.
Antarctic sea ice extent, however, was the second lowest for June in the satellite data record. It was 12% below average, behind the lowest June value of 16% below average observed in 2023.