rki.news | Source: Xinhua
The Earth experienced its second-warmest June on record in 2026, while global ocean surface temperatures reached their highest level ever recorded for the month, according to an analysis by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The NOAA report said global surface temperatures in June were 1.09 degrees Celsius above the 20th-century average, with only June 2024 recording higher temperatures. Warmer-than-average conditions affected large parts of the world, with several regions reporting among their top 10 warmest Junes.
The analysis also revealed that global sea ice coverage reached the fourth-lowest level for June in the 48-year satellite record, measuring about 22.7 million square kilometers, significantly below the 1991-2020 average.
Both the Arctic and Antarctic recorded sea ice levels among their lowest 10 on record, while global tropical cyclone activity remained above average during the month.
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information said temperatures from January to June 2026 ranked as the third-highest on record. The agency’s annual outlook indicates that 2026 is very likely to become one of the five-warmest years ever recorded, highlighting continuing concerns over global climate change.