May 2026 Recorded as Second Hottest Ever
The planet's average surface air temperature for May stood at 15.81°C (60.45°F) — 0.55°C above the 1991–2020 baseline — falling short only of May 2024's historic peak, the agency confirmed.
Ocean heat showed no signs of retreat. Sea surface temperatures hovered near all-time highs, with the tropical Pacific registering intensified warming as scientists track what could become a full-fledged El Niño event.
The starkest story unfolded across Europe, where conditions swung violently from below-average temperatures to punishing heat across the second half of May. France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal bore the brunt of one of the most powerful early-season heat waves on record, shattering multiple May temperature benchmarks. Heat-stress indicators climbed to between 35°C and 40°C across several regions, pushing human comfort to dangerous limits.
Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at ECMWF, issued a stark warning: "In Europe, an unusually early and intense heat wave demonstrates how quickly climate extremes are becoming the new normal rather than the exception."
Precipitation patterns were equally chaotic. While Spain and Italy faced drier-than-normal conditions, severe flooding battered Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Moldova. Scandinavia and northern Europe recorded excess rainfall, sharply contrasting with the broad dryness gripping central and eastern Europe — where major river systems, including the Danube and Vistula, dropped well below typical flow levels.
The disruption extended far beyond European borders. Above-average rainfall was recorded across northern and southeastern North America, parts of Asia, western China, Brazil, southern Africa, and Australia. Conversely, the central United States, much of South America, Madagascar, and southwestern Australia all endured abnormally dry conditions.
At both poles, ice coverage continued its retreat. Arctic sea ice measured roughly 4% below the monthly average, placing May 2026 fourth lowest in the satellite record. In the Southern Hemisphere, Antarctic sea ice sat approximately 9% below average — the seventh lowest for the month — with especially sparse coverage concentrated in the Bellingshausen Sea.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
