Global October temperatures reach record highs

October 2026 has been recorded as the hottest October globally, according to data from Europe’s Copernicus Programme. Climate researcher Zeke Hausfather noted that the ERA5 dataset showed temperatures were 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the previous record set in October 2023.

The extreme warmth is attributed to a combination of climate change and a record-breaking El Nino event in the Pacific. Projections suggest that 2026 could become the second-warmest year on record, with 2027 potentially setting a new record for the hottest year at 1.8°C above pre-industrial levels.

In response to these trends, more than 500 international and Australian academics issued an open letter to Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The academics are calling for increased action to curb greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the COP31 global climate summit in Türkiye.