Third hottest August on record as wildfires and heatwaves surge worldwide

Oceans stayed unusually warm, making extremes harder to escape

A European climate monitor says August was the world’s third-hottest on record, with devastating wildfires and blistering heatwaves across regions. The report warns that unusually warm oceans are intensifying extreme weather risks. It urges faster emission cuts and stronger adaptation planning, arguing that deadly heat and fire episodes are likely to become more frequent and severe.