September 2024 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, indicating a potential trajectory towards the warmest year on record. The month experienced unprecedented extreme weather, including hurricanes and severe rainfall, which are exacerbated by climate change. C3S projects 2024 may surpass previous temperature records.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), September 2024 has been recorded as the second-warmest September globally, marking a continuation of what is projected to be the hottest year on record. The global average temperature for September was reported to be only surpassed by that of September 2023. The month witnessed extreme rainfall and violent storms across various regions, phenomena increasingly exacerbated by rising global temperatures linked to climate change. Statistics indicate that warmer air retains more water vapor, and increased ocean temperatures contribute to elevated evaporation rates, which ultimately intensify rainfall events. Significant weather events during September included Hurricane Helene affecting the southeastern United States, Typhoon Krathon striking Taiwan, and Storm Boris causing extensive flooding and destruction in central Europe. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S, remarked on the increasing severity of rainfall events, stating, “The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere, leading to more intense rainfall with months’ worth of rain falling in just a few days.” Furthermore, C3S concluded that the year 2023 was the warmest on record, with persistent heat evident in the months from January to September 2024, suggesting an imminent surpassing of temperature records in the coming months.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service, established by the European Union, provides comprehensive data on climate trends and weather events. The organization has been tracking climate changes since 1940, utilizing various scientific methods including ice cores, tree rings, and coral skeletons to understand historical climate patterns. The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events have been attributed to climate change, with rising global temperatures contributing to phenomena such as heightened evaporation leading to more intense rainfall.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service has highlighted that September 2024 has become the second-warmest September recorded globally, setting the stage for what is predicted to be an unprecedented hottest year on record. The occurrences of extreme weather events have been increasingly linked to the escalation of global temperatures caused by climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for focused interventions to mitigate climate effects.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
