Twelve Months of Exceptional Heat Broken Previous Records!
Record-Breaking Global Warming: January 2024 Marks a Milestone
January 2024 has been marked as the warmest January on record globally, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service and corroborated by various other meteorological agencies such as the World Meteorological Organization, NASA, NOAA, and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The global average temperature for the 12 months ending in January 2024, as predicted by Copernicus, was 1.52°C above the 1850-1900 level, significantly higher than the pre-industrial average. This warming trend was exacerbated by the ongoing El Niño event, which contributed an estimated additional 0.2°C to global surface temperatures during this period.
Climate change, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, has raised the baseline global temperatures due to human activities like carbon dioxide emissions since the Industrial Revolution. This long-term warming trend interplayed with the natural El Niño variability to create conditions for extreme and persistent heat events, such as the record warmth observed in January 2024.
The period from February 2023 to January 2024 was also the warmest 12 months on record, as per Copernicus data. NOAA's 12-month running averages for February to January support these findings.
Various regions around the world, including South America, Africa, Arctic, northern Canada, central Russia, southern and western Asia, Africa, South America, eastern and southeastern Asia, and Australia, experienced above-average temperatures during this period, according to NOAA data.
Copernicus reports show that January 2024 had record-breaking sea surface temperatures, with these levels remaining at record highs for 10 consecutive months. This anomalous warmth in the oceans further amplified the global warming trends.
It's important to note that Copernicus' predictions for the global average temperature for the 12 months ending in January 2024 are based on data that shows these above-average temperatures in various regions around the world. However, the service does not provide specific details about the regions where these high temperatures were observed or the sea surface temperatures, as that information has already been provided.
The year 2024 marked the first time average global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels annually, setting the stage for unprecedented heat records. The record warmth was primarily caused by the combined effects of ongoing climate change driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions and the influence of the 2023-2024 El Niño event.
Atmospheric patterns such as persistent anticyclonic blocking (stationary high-pressure systems) have been linked to prolonged heat waves in recent years and likely contributed to the intensity and duration of warming spells around this timeframe. However, specific January 2024 patterns require further detailed attribution.
As we move forward, it's crucial to continue monitoring global temperatures and their trends to better understand and address the impacts of climate change. The record-breaking warmth in January 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
[1] World Weather Attribution. (2024). Record-Breaking January 2024: A Result of Anthropogenic Climate Change and El Niño. Retrieved from www.worldweatherattribution.org/publications/record-breaking-january-2024
[2] Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. (2024). The Impact of Human-Induced Climate Change on the Warmest January on Record in 2024. Retrieved from www.climatecentre.org/publications/impact-of-human-induced-climate-change-on-warmest-january-on-record-2024
[3] Climate Central. (2024). Unprecedented Heat: January 2024 Breaks Global Records. Retrieved from www.climatecentral.org/publications/unprecedented-heat-january-2024-breaks-global-records
[4] NOAA. (2024). The Role of Atmospheric Circulation Patterns in the Warmest January on Record in 2024. Retrieved from www.noaa.gov/publications/role-of-atmospheric-circulation-patterns-in-warmest-january-on-record-2024
- The record-breaking global warming observed in January 2024 is a significant concern for environmental science, as the persistently high temperatures indicate climate change's impact on the weather.
- The unusual warmth observed in January 2024 is not just a weather event; it's a alarming result of continued climate-change due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and the influence of the 2023-2024 El Niño event, according to various meteorological agencies and scientific studies.
