Austin reached 103 degrees Thursday afternoon–the 24th time temperatures have reached the triple digits this summer. 24 days is the average annual number of 100-degree days since 1990, however since records began in Austin in the 1800s, 14 days is the long-term average. In a clear sign of continued global warming, since 1998 the average number of 100-degree days in Austin has climbed to 34.
And, Central Texas is not alone. NOAA confirmed what we reported with preliminary data last week– last month was the hottest month on earth since at least 1850. July 2019 marked the 415th straight month that was warmer than the 20th-century average.
Both Arctic sea ice and Antarctic sea ice were at their lowest levels on record for the month, missing a total of 1 million square miles of ice, according to NOAA..
Here’s a closer look into NOAA’s latest monthly global climate report:
Climate by the numbers
July 2019
The average global temperature in July was 1.71 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 60.4 degrees, making it the hottest July in the 140-year record, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. The previous hottest month on record was July 2016.
Nine of the 10 hottest Julys have occurred since 2005—with the last five years ranking as the five hottest. Last month was also the 43rd consecutive July and 415th consecutive month with above-average global temperatures.
Year to date I January through July
The period from January through July produced a global temperature that was 1.71 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 56.9 degrees, tying with 2017 as the second-hottest year to date on record.
It was the hottest year to date for parts of North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the southern half of Africa, portions of the western Pacific Ocean, western Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
An annotated map of the world showing notable climate events that occurred around the world in July 2019. For details, see the short bulleted list below in our story (NOAA)Download Image
More notable stats and facts
Record-low sea ice: Average Arctic sea ice set a record low for July, running 19.8% below average – surpassing the previous historic low of July 2012.
Average Antarctic sea-ice coverage was 4.3% below the 1981-2010 average, making it the smallest for July in the 41-year record.
Some cool spots: Parts of Scandinavia and western and eastern Russia had temperatures at least 2.7 degrees F below average.
More > Access NOAA’s full climate report and download images.
