July 2023 declared hottest month since 1880

July was hotter than any other month in the global temperature record, which dates back to 1880, NASA has said.

Overall, July was 0.24 degrees Celsius warmer than any other July in NASA’s records, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS).

July 2023 was 1.18 degrees Celsius warmer than the average July between 1951 and 1980, NASA said.

“NASA data confirms what billions around the world literally felt: temperatures in July 2023 made it the hottest month on record,’’ NASA administrator Bill Nelson said.

“The science is clear. We must act now to protect our communities and planet; it’s the only one we have.’’

Parts of South America, North Africa, North America, and the Antarctic Peninsula were especially hot, experiencing temperatures that increased by around 4 degrees Celsius above average, NASA said.

According to NASA data, the five hottest Julys since 1880 have all happened in the past five years.