According to a recent report from the Copernicus climate change service, September 2024 Marks the Second-Warmest September Globally, with temperatures 0.73°C above the 1991-2020 average. This marks a major turning point, returning to extreme temperatures, especially in comparison to September 2020, the hottest recorded month yet, with 1.64°C above the pre-industrial period(1850-1900).

Why September 2024 Marks Second-Warmest September Globally?

In September 2024, the average global surface air temperature hit 16.17°C, which is 0.73°C higher than the 1991–2020 average, accompanied by notable increases in sea surface temperatures. The rising temperatures are evident effects of climate anomalies with drier than average conditions observed in parts of North America, western and easternmost Russia, northeastern China, eastern Australia, and most of southern Africa and South America.

This led to a particularly hard dry spell of water shortages, crop failure, yield damages, and a higher percentage of forest wildfires in several regions, including Russia and South America. All of this caused larger amounts of greenhouse gases to be expelled, further aggravating the climate crisis. Trapping heat within the atmosphere created higher annual temperatures, perpetuating the vicious cycle.

Europe experienced its second-warmest September, with temperatures 1.74°C higher than the 1991–2020 average. The most significant temperature anomalies were observed in eastern and northeastern Europe, while western areas like France, Spain, and Portugal recorded below-average temperatures.

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2024 on Track to Be the Warmest Year Ever

The temperature difference between September 2020 and 2024 underscores the enduring effects of climate change. The severe consequences—rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, droughts, and flash floods—serve as a stark warning about the dangers of human-induced global warming. Despite widespread ignorance and a lack of urgency, the longer we remain inactive and overlook these threats, the more risky the future becomes.

Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S, highlighted that increasing global temperatures are leading to more frequent and intense rainfall, with some areas experiencing months’ worth of rain in just a few days.

According to Copernicus records, which date back to 1940, 2024 temperature records have already been broken from January to September. Given these trends, it is “almost certain” that 2024 will become the warmest year on record.

The Copernicus climate change service warns September 2024 marks the second-warmest September globally. They call back and highlight the importance of further data and research collection that is reliable and collaborative with global resources and policies backing up findings, working towards a more apt and scientifically sound solution to combat such high irregular temperatures and protect our planet for it to remain habitable.

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