August was the hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say

Copernicus said August 2025 was the hottest month globally, averaging 16.96°C, with record ocean temperatures and Europe’s warmest summer.

SourcesThe Guardian02:00 UTCBBC02:05 UTCSouth China Morning Post03:25 UTC10 SepSave

The Guardian, BBC and South China Morning Post

Key points

From South China Morning Post’s report

Copernicus: August 2025 the hottest single month globally with record ocean temperatures.
Global surface temperatures reached 16.96°C, surpassing July 2023's record by 0.01°C.
UN urges a rapid fossil-fuel phase-out as emissions reach new highs in 2025.
El Niño strengthens, raising global temperature baseline and extreme weather risk.
Europe experiences its warmest summer on record, with over 32,000 excess deaths reported.

Why it matters. The record topped July 2023 by 0.01°C, while Europe reported over 32,000 excess deaths and global emissions reached new highs.

What to watch. The UN urges rapid fossil-fuel phase-out as strengthening El Niño raises the global temperature baseline and extreme weather risk.

Coverage

Oldest first · UTC

02:00

“August was joint-hottest month ever recorded globally”

Key points from The Guardian

August 2026 reached 1.65C above preindustrial levels, tying July 2023 for hottest month.
Global sea surface temperatures in August reached record highs.
El Niño is expected to intensify later this year, potentially most intense on record.
Experts warn continued warming could trigger climate tipping points if fossil fuels persist.
Impacts include heat-related health risks, wildfires, harvest damage, and rising food prices.

SourceThe GuardianUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Guardian

02:05

“August was joint hottest month on record, says European climate agency”

Key points from BBC

August 2024 was joint-hottest month on record, tying July 2023, per Copernicus.
Temperatures ran about 1.65C above pre-industrial levels, breaching the 1.5C threshold conceptually.
El Niño influences and human-caused climate change drove heat into the atmosphere and oceans.
Western Europe experienced its warmest summer on record, with UK also recording its hottest summer since 1884.
Experts warned of real human costs and urged reducing fossil fuel use to avoid further extremes.

SourceBBCUnited KingdomLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at BBC

03:25

“August was hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say”

Key points from South China Morning Post

Copernicus: August 2025 the hottest single month globally with record ocean temperatures.
Global surface temperatures reached 16.96°C, surpassing July 2023's record by 0.01°C.
UN urges a rapid fossil-fuel phase-out as emissions reach new highs in 2025.
El Niño strengthens, raising global temperature baseline and extreme weather risk.
Europe experiences its warmest summer on record, with over 32,000 excess deaths reported.

SourceSouth China Morning PostHong KongLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at South China Morning Post

Coverage

Oldest first · UTC

02:00

SourceThe GuardianUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Guardian“August was joint-hottest month ever recorded globally”

Key points from The Guardian

August 2026 reached 1.65C above preindustrial levels, tying July 2023 for hottest month.
Global sea surface temperatures in August reached record highs.
El Niño is expected to intensify later this year, potentially most intense on record.
Experts warn continued warming could trigger climate tipping points if fossil fuels persist.
Impacts include heat-related health risks, wildfires, harvest damage, and rising food prices.

02:05

SourceBBCUnited KingdomLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at BBC“August was joint hottest month on record, says European climate agency”

Key points from BBC

August 2024 was joint-hottest month on record, tying July 2023, per Copernicus.
Temperatures ran about 1.65C above pre-industrial levels, breaching the 1.5C threshold conceptually.
El Niño influences and human-caused climate change drove heat into the atmosphere and oceans.
Western Europe experienced its warmest summer on record, with UK also recording its hottest summer since 1884.
Experts warned of real human costs and urged reducing fossil fuel use to avoid further extremes.

03:25

SourceSouth China Morning PostHong KongLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at South China Morning Post“August was hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say”

Key points from South China Morning Post

Copernicus: August 2025 the hottest single month globally with record ocean temperatures.
Global surface temperatures reached 16.96°C, surpassing July 2023's record by 0.01°C.
UN urges a rapid fossil-fuel phase-out as emissions reach new highs in 2025.
El Niño strengthens, raising global temperature baseline and extreme weather risk.
Europe experiences its warmest summer on record, with over 32,000 excess deaths reported.

Why it’s in the Brief

Ranked 3rd of 10.

Starting score: 5.0
Public-interest topic: +1.0
Public-interest terms in the text: +1.25
High-reliability sources: +0.75
Corroboration by independent outlets: +1.6
Score: 9.6

The ranking is the same for everyone.

Perspective mix. 1 center-left · 2 center.RatingsAllSides and Media Bias/Fact CheckLean and credibility are curated from their public ratings.Unknown outlets stay unrated, never guessed.

Blindspot. No right-leaning outlet is covering this story. 2 of 3 outlets are United Kingdom-based. Worth knowing before you make up your mind.