May 2024 Was World's Second-Hottest on Record, EU Climate Service Reports
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that May 2024 was the world's second-hottest May since records began in 1940, with global temperatures 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels. The extreme heat was driven by climate change and developing El Niño conditions, with Western Europe experiencing one of its most severe early-season heatwaves. The findings underscore how climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns globally, with further impacts expected as El Niño develops.
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service announced on June 10 that May 2024 ranked as the second-hottest May in instrumental records dating back to 1940, with only May 2024 itself being hotter. Global average temperatures reached 1.42 degrees Celsius above 19th-century pre-industrial baselines. The extreme heat resulted from the combined effects of long-term climate change and the developing El Niño weather pattern, which naturally occurs every two to seven years and typically elevates global temperatures. Western Europe experienced one of its most severe heatwaves on record for such an early point in the year, consistent with scientific projections of how climate change will affect the continent. The Pacific Ocean also recorded exceptionally high temperatures as conditions transitioned toward El Niño. Extreme weather events in May included fatal floods in China and Turkey, with further disruptions to global weather patterns expected as El Niño fully develops.
What different sources said
- The Straits TimesCenter
May was the world's second-hottest on record, EU scientists say
- The Japan TimesCenter
Scientists urge countries to look beyond CO2 to tackle warming
- EuronewsCenter
EU monitor warns of 'new normal' following record temperatures in May
- NDTVCenter
World Witnessed Second-Hottest May On Record: EU's Climate Monitor
- Yale Climate ConnectionsCenter
May 2026 was the world’s second-warmest May on record
- Phys.orgCenter
Heat claimed more than 200,000 lives in Europe since 2022: WHO
- ForbesCenter
Extreme Weather Is Becoming A Workforce Crisis
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