The unrelenting charge of global warming reached another distressing milestone in March 2024, which became the 10th month in a row to set a new record as the warmest respective month on record globally.
Data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) showed the average global surface air temperature for March 2024 was 14.14°C (57.45°F). This was a staggering 0.73°C (1.31°F) above the 1991-2020 average for March and 0.10°C (0.18°F) higher than the previous warmest March set in 2016.
The run of record-smashing months stretches back to June 2023. Moreover, the average global temperature over the past 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024 is now the highest on record at 0.70°C (1.26°F) above the 1991-2020 average. Compared to pre-industrial levels from 1850-1900, temperatures were a blazing 1.58°C (2.84°F) higher.
“March 2024 continues the sequence of climate records toppling for both air temperature and ocean surface temperatures, with the 10th consecutive record-breaking month,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S. “The global average temperature is the highest on record, with the past 12 months being 1.58°C above pre-industrial levels. Stopping further warming requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Temperature extremes were seen across the globe. Europe experienced its second warmest March on record at 2.12°C (3.82°F) above average, just narrowly trailing March 2014. Eastern North America, Greenland, Russia, Central America, parts of South America, Africa, southern Australia and Antarctica all saw temperatures far exceeding normal levels.
Oceans also continued to see record warmth, with the global sea surface temperature averaging 21.07°C (69.93°F) from 60°N to 60°S latitude – the highest monthly reading on record and surpassing the previous high set just one month earlier in February 2024.
The data paints an undeniable and troubling picture of climate change fueled by human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane from burning fossil fuels. With the El Niño weather pattern continuing to lose strength in the equatorial Pacific, the records may be driven primarily by the relentless buildup of atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Scientists have warned that limiting future warming to only 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels is critical to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change. But the latest data suggests the planet may blow past that benchmark in the next year or two without aggressive and immediate action to curb emissions.