September 2024 Sets Record as Second-Warmest Month on Record…

September 2024 has been noted as the second-warmest on record, with Copernicus predicting 2024 to be the hottest year ever. Increasing temperatures have led to more frequent and severe weather events globally, including extreme rainfall and destructive storms. Recent months have seen temperatures consistently over 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial averages, raising concerns about climate change and its impacts on future weather patterns.

The month of September 2024 has been documented as the second-warmest September on record globally, as reported by the EU climate monitor, Copernicus, on Tuesday. This month’s notable warmth contributes to a trend that positions 2024 to potentially become the hottest year recorded in history. This alarming temperature anomaly has been accompanied by extreme weather patterns, including severe rainfall and destructive storms globally, which are becoming increasingly frequent and intense as a direct result of climate change. According to Copernicus, the average global temperature of September 2024 was surpassed only by that of September 2023. The organization employs extensive data obtained from satellites, aircraft, ships, and weather stations to conduct its analyses. While last year was the hottest on record, predictions indicate that 2024 will likely surpass those levels. The implications of global warming extend beyond mere increases in temperature—it also leads to significant changes in atmospheric conditions. Warmer air can retain more moisture, and warmer oceans enhance evaporation rates, drastically altering rainfall patterns and intensifying storm systems. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, emphasized that the current climate conditions mean severe rain events are occurring more frequently. “The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere,” she stated. September experienced a cascade of extreme weather incidents, including Hurricane Helene affecting the southeastern United States, Typhoon Krathon impacting Taiwan, and Storm Boris bringing upheaval to central Europe. Moreover, Typhoons Yagi and Bebinca devastated parts of Asia, while substantial floods were reported in Nepal, Japan, and throughout central and west Africa. Furthermore, Copernicus reported unusual levels of rainfall in regions across Africa, Russia, China, Australia, and Brazil, with Pakistan facing particularly severe consequences from the monsoon season. As of September 2024, the months spanning from January to September have set new temperature records, making it increasingly probable that this year will exceed previous temperature milestones. Notably, fourteen out of the last fifteen months recorded temperatures at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above the averages recorded during the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). However, while these figures are alarming, they do not constitute a violation of the Paris climate agreement, which focuses on temperature trends over several decades rather than individual years. Despite the current data, scientists have cautioned that the threshold of a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase is becoming more difficult to maintain. Predictions reveal that without a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly due to fossil fuel combustion, global temperatures could rise by approximately 2.9 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, as noted by the UN Environment Program. Copernicus’s climate recordings date back to 1940, and additional historical climate evidence derived from sources such as ice cores and coral skeletons suggests that the planet may be experiencing its warmest conditions in 100,000 years, dating back to the early stages of the last Ice Age.

Global warming refers to the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. The Copernicus Climate Change Service, part of the European Union, provides comprehensive monitoring of climate change indicators, utilizing a broad range of data collection methodologies to assess global temperatures and extreme weather patterns. As climate change progresses, its impacts include increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, which pose significant risks to ecosystems, human health, and economic stability.

In summary, the EU climate monitor’s report highlights September 2024 as the second-warmest September on record, drawing attention to the overarching trend of escalating global temperatures. The consequential rise in extreme weather events, including record rainfall and damaging storms, is becoming increasingly apparent and poses serious challenges. With ongoing concerns regarding climate change and the urgency of mitigating its impacts, 2024 is likely to surpass previous records for warmth, emphasizing the critical need for international efforts to address rising greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on global temperatures.

Original Source: phys.org