August was hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say

The Copernicus Climate Change Service announced on Thursday that August 2025 was the hottest month ever recorded globally, with ocean temperatures also reaching record highs. Western Europe experienced its warmest summer on record. Global average air temperatures in August reached 16.96 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in July 2023 by just 0.01 degree.

This finding confirms that humans have never witnessed such temperatures for at least the last 100,000 years, according to Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, emphasized that the evidence is "irrefutable" and highlighted the spiralling price of humanity's fossil fuel addiction, driving the global climate crisis.

Ocean heatwaves extended for a third consecutive month, and the effects on marine life, reefs, and coastal communities were severe. The increased heat has been absorbed by the oceans, sparing land but causing significant harm to marine ecosystems. Moreover, August marked the end of western Europe's warmest summer, surpassing the record set in 2003.

The continent experienced severe, consecutive heatwaves in June to August that led to schools closing, rivers drying up, and heightened wildfire risks. It is estimated that over 32,000 excess deaths occurred across Europe during this period. Scientists warn that these record-breaking months will continue as "super" El Nino, which often brings a temporary spike in global temperatures, approaches peak intensity around December. The following years, including 2026, are also expected to become the hottest years ever observed.