Global temperature record increases

Global temperatures reached record highs in late 2026. September 2026 was recorded as the second warmest September globally, with average surface air temperatures at 16.27°C. This period marked the second consecutive month where temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. Ocean temperatures also reached unprecedented levels, with sea surface temperatures hitting a record 21.05°C. In the Pacific Ocean, the Nino 3.4 region reached a historic high of 29.7°C due to an intense El Niño phenomenon.

By October 2026, data from the Copernicus Programme indicated that October was the hottest October on record, with temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. This extreme warmth is attributed to the combination of climate change and the record-breaking El Niño event.

Recent analysis from Carbon Brief indicates that 2026 is highly likely to be the warmest or second-warmest year on record. The period from January to September 2026 was approximately 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels. The El Niño pattern has broken daily records in the Niño 3.4 region and is projected to intensify this winter, potentially becoming the strongest on record. Projections suggest 2027 could reach 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels, with a 96% chance of being the warmest year on record. Regional impacts include Western Europe experiencing its hottest summer on record and Spain recording its warmest September.

In response to these trends, over 500 international and Australian academics issued an open letter to Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling for increased action to curb greenhouse gas emissions before the COP31 summit in Türkiye.