June 2022 was the third warmest June worldwide on record, according to data from the European climate service Copernicus released on Thursday (7 July). June 2019 and 2021 are the first and second hottest months known worldwide.
In a statement, the climate observing program from satellites, ships, planes and weather stations around the world said several “highlights” took place in June 2022. The global average temperature for June was higher than about 0.31°C in the average recorded between 1991 and 2020.
In June 2022, the areas colored red had an average air temperature higher than the average for the months of June in the period 1991-2020. (COPERNICUS)
In Europe, June was the second warmest month on record, with a temperature around 1.6°C above average. June 2019 is the hottest June ever recorded on the old continent. “Many temperature records have been broken in France and Spain – Biarritz and San Sebastián are two excellent examples,” writes Copernicus. “This heat has also spread across North Africa, where Tunisia has equaled its monthly temperature record. In addition, a maximum daily temperature of 32.5 °C was recorded in Banak in northern Norway.”
Copernicus specifically mentions extreme temperatures recorded from Spain to Italy. “Southwestern Europe, which experienced its first heat wave in the second half of May, experienced a new period of exceptional temperatures four weeks later, peaking on June 17,” the press release reads. In addition to this region, countries such as France, Japan and the United States have also experienced severe heat waves.
“It’s especially important to provide the public with reliable data so that everyone can monitor these trends and better prepare for what’s to come.”
Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service
in a press release
Conversely, the study points to colder temperatures in June in Greenland and most of South America. “We expect heatwaves like those observed this year to become more frequent and severe in the coming years, both in Europe and elsewhere,” Copernicus Climate Change Service director Carlo Buontempo said based on the data .