Last month was the second warmest September ever recorded globally, in an exceptional year that is "almost certain" to become the hottest on record.
This was announced by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Observatory.
The average global temperature last month was the second highest since September 2023.
September saw "extreme" rainfall and damaging storms in many parts of the world - events that are occurring with greater severity and frequency as global temperatures rise due to climate change.
Warmer air can hold more water vapour, and warmer oceans mean more evaporation, leading to very intense rainfall events.
Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern US, Typhoon Kraton hit Taiwan and Storm Boris brought flooding and destruction to central Europe during the month.
2023 is still the warmest year ever recorded, but the months from January to September 2024 set new records.
According to Copernicus, it is "almost certain that 2024 will be the warmest year on record." | BGNES
