In 2024, global temperatures have reached unprecedented highs, continuing the trend of record-breaking heat observed in recent years. Here are the key highlights:
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Record Warm Start: The year 2024 began with the warmest January on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 13.14°C, which is 0.70°C above the 1991-2020 average [3].
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Warmest April on Record: April 2024 was also the warmest April on record, with a global surface temperature 1.32°C (2.38°F) above the average, making it the warmest April in NOAA's 175-year record [6]. In the Northern Hemisphere, April 2024 temperatures were 1.75°C (3.15°F) above average [2].
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Overall Trend: The first few months of 2024 have been characterized by record or near-record warmth across the globe. This follows a trend of increasing temperatures, with significant rises observed in the past few decades. The overall warming pattern has been driven by persistent and intensifying effects of climate change [4], [5].
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Comparative Analysis: Compared to previous years, 2024 stands out for its exceptionally high temperatures from the very beginning of the year. The increasing frequency and intensity of warm records indicate an accelerating trend in global temperature rise, which aligns with long-term climate models predicting ongoing global warming [1].
Overall, the global temperature in 2024 has been significantly higher compared to the last several years, setting new records and reinforcing concerns about the escalating impacts of climate change.
🌐 Sources
- Wikipedia - Atmospheric temperature
- ncei.noaa.gov - April 2024 Global Climate Report
- climate.copernicus.eu - In 2024, the world experienced the warmest January on record
- climate.gov - Climate Change: Global Temperature
- carbonbrief.org - State of the climate: 2024 off to a record-warm start
- climate.gov - Global climate report for April 2024