April 2024 Sets Global Heat Record, 2024 May Be Warmest Year

May 6, 2024, 03:16 PM

April 2024 has set a new record for the warmest April on record globally, with 21% of the Earth experiencing their highest April temperatures since 1940. This includes both land and ocean temperatures, with the land temperatures for April 2024 also being the highest on record. Despite the influence of El Nino, which typically results in warmer global temperatures, April 2024's temperatures were significantly above the long-term trend. Additionally, the Arctic Basin recorded its coolest April since 2001, which, while still warm historically, marks a brief respite from recent trends. This record-breaking month contributes to an ongoing pattern, as the globe has now seen 11 consecutive months of record heat. Projections based on the first four months of data from ERA5 suggest a 66% chance that 2024 will surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record, with a greater than 99% likelihood that it will be one of the top two warmest years. The 75-year trend in April temperatures shows a significant warming pattern.