February 2024 sets new record as EU's warmest February on file

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that global temperatures continued to break records in February 2024, making it the ninth consecutive month with above-average temperatures. The average surface air temperature for February was 13.54 degrees Celsius, which is 1.77 degrees warmer than the estimated preindustrial February average for 1850-1900. The period from February 2023 to January 2024 marked the first time Earth experienced 12 consecutive months with temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than the pre-industrial era. The first half of February 2024 saw "exceptionally high" daily global temperatures. Each month since June 2023 has set new temperature highs for the time of year, and the world's sea surface is currently at its hottest on record. Antarctic sea-ice levels have also reached extreme lows. The World Meteorological Organization attributes these trends primarily to human-caused climate change.