September 2024: A Record Second Warmest, Reports EU Climate Monitor

Last month was recorded as the second-warmest September globally, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It is indicative of a trend towards warmer temperatures leading to increased extreme weather events, with forecasts suggesting 2024 may become the hottest year on record. Scientists highlight the direct connections between rising temperatures and severe weather phenomena, with calls for urgent climate action to address increasing greenhouse gas emissions and their impacts.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, September 2024 marked the second-warmest September recorded globally, indicating a continuation of alarming climate trends. With global temperatures reaching unprecedented levels, this year is predicted to become the hottest on record shortly. The data reflects a worrying rise in extreme weather phenomena, including severe rainfall and destructive storms across various regions, which are becoming increasingly common as a result of climate change. The observed average global temperature last month narrowly surpassed that recorded in previous years, only following the warmest September recorded in 2023. The Copernicus data is derived from extensive measurements obtained from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations worldwide. The concerning trend suggests that 2024 will likely surpass last year as the hottest year on record, exacerbating challenges related to climate resilience and adaptation. The occurrences of extreme weather events are drawing attention to the broader implications of global warming. For instance, warmer air possesses an increased capacity to retain water vapor, while warmer oceans contribute to elevated evaporation rates. Such conditions can lead to more significant rainfall events, which significantly impact regions worldwide, as highlighted by Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. These extreme rainfalls have been linked directly to the rising temperatures, with instances where “months’ worth of rain [has fallen] in just a few days.” The trend is not localized; storms such as Hurricane Helene and Typhoon Krathon have resulted in extensive damage, illustrating the severity of the current climatic shift. Compounding these issues, the Copernicus report noted that 2024 has already set new temperature records from January through September. While the Paris Agreement aims to constrain global temperature rises to below 2 degrees Celsius, there is growing concern among scientists that reaching the 1.5-degree Celsius limit is increasingly tenuous. Current trends in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, must be reversed to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. The Copernicus records, which extend back to 1940, provide vital insights, but additional historical data indicate the current period is possibly the warmest in approximately 100,000 years, aligning closely with the onset of the last Ice Age. As the scientific community continues to monitor these trends, the urgency for immediate and effective climate action remains paramount.

The alarming rise in global temperatures signals a serious threat associated with climate change, affecting weather patterns around the globe. Extreme weather events have become increasingly common because of the interaction between elevated temperatures, increased evaporation rates, and the capacity of warmer air to hold moisture. This combination significantly contributes to severe rainfall and storms, which can lead to devastating consequences for communities around the world. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, representing European Union meteorological research, plays a critical role in gathering and analyzing climate data, helping to elucidate the effects of climate change on a global scale. As climate scientists emphasize, the current trends not only reflect immediate weather phenomena but also indicate long-term shifts that could redefine life on Earth as we know it.

In summary, September 2024 has emerged as the second-warmest September on record, affirming ongoing trends indicative of escalating global temperatures. The Copernicus Climate Change Service emphasizes the need for urgent climate action in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. With significant global warming trends reported and alarming forecasts for 2024, the scientific community continues to advocate for immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate potential catastrophic impacts on ecosystems and human communities alike.

Original Source: phys.org