US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2023 Global Climate assessment also ranked July as one of the wettest months in its history.
by Marco Lopez
Record-breaking global temperature has been intermittently reported by traditional media over the years. In many ways, we haven’t truly experienced what scientists have observed on the ground. Understanding the jargon and numbers hasn’t been a priority. In July 2023, what the numbers have indicated for years became palpable.
Earth had its warmest July in 2023, according to NOAA’s assessment of Global Climate for that month. The highest monthly sea surface temperature was also cited in July 2023. A high noted in the agency’s 174-year history.
Closer to home…
The Caribbean Islands experienced their warmest July also. In Belize, a series of heat waves broke numerous country records during this period.
The Atlantic “Main Development Region” experienced its warmest July to date. This region of the tropical Atlantic Ocean basin extends from offshore the west coast of Africa to the westernmost sections of the Caribbean Sea. The potential for Tropical system development is high and closely monitored in the area.
Across Africa and South America…
Temperatures were also above average. South America had the highest monthly temperature anomaly ever recorded. North America noted its second warmest July, while Europe experienced its eighth warmest.
According to NOAA, climatologically, July is the warmest month of the year. The agency’s data outline that sea surface temperature was recorded at +1.78°F (+0.99°C) above average.
Global Sea Ice was also impacted
The lowest global July sea ice extent was found in 2023. Global sea ice extent was about 470,000 square miles less than the previous low from July 2019. A third consecutive month with the lowest Antarctic sea ice was also identified. About 1 million square miles of Antarctic sea ice, roughly the size of Argentina, was recorded below the 1991-2020 average.
Hot days but record-wet conditions
The Asian monsoons were more fatal this year. Extreme rainfall was associated with floods and landslides in India. Wet conditions were recorded across the eastern U.S., northwestern Europe, Russia, western India, and Pakistan.
While the month was ranked the hottest globally recorded, it was among the wettest Julys in recent history NOAA states.
Record heat and electricity grids
To survive the hot days, the use of fans and air conditioning ballooned across the world. This pushed the demand on power grids to exceed their limits and caused power outages in several countries across the region and the world.
Extreme heat and the active El Nino
While it is well established and agreed that the burning fossil fuels has triggered the upward trend in temperatures and is a leading cause of climate change. Natural phenomenon like the El Nino contributes to a temporary boosts in hot temperatures. This year the world made the shift from an extended La Nina weather pattern and is now at the start of an El Nino.
Since this pattern is just getting started it is likely the effects aren’t being felt as yet but predictions are that it can continue to drive the hot temperature already seen this year for its duration.
To date, 2016, the hottest year ever recorded, was driven by an El Nino.
