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| Daily global average temperature values from MERRA-2 (1980-2022 in white, 2023 in pink, 2024 through June in red) and GEOS-FP (July 1-July 23, 2024 in purple). |
July 22, 2024, has been confirmed as the hottest day on record, as reported by NASA’s recent analysis of global daily temperature data. This finding, along with similarly scorching temperatures on July 21 and 23, surpasses the previous daily record set just last year in July 2023. These alarming temperature highs are indicative of a persistent warming trend driven largely by human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases.
NASA’s commitment to monitoring Earth’s climate through extensive satellite observations and data spanning over six decades underscores the severity of these developments. “In a year that has seen unprecedented heat levels, these past two weeks have been exceptionally harsh,” remarked NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. He emphasized NASA’s pivotal role in not only documenting these changes but also in assisting communities to prepare and adapt to increasingly extreme weather patterns.
The analysis draws upon data from NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) and Goddard Earth Observing System Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) systems. These systems integrate millions of global observations from various sources including satellites, aircraft, and ground-based instruments, employing advanced atmospheric models for accurate weather predictions and climate analysis. The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland oversees these critical operations.
Comparisons with independent analyses from the European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme corroborate NASA’s findings, demonstrating a consistent increase in global temperatures over time. This latest data follows thirteen consecutive months of record-breaking temperatures as assessed by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, using the GISTEMP record which spans historical temperature data dating back to the late 19th century.
As temperatures continue to rise globally, NASA remains committed to advancing our understanding of climate dynamics and supporting efforts to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on communities worldwide.
