Warmer to much-warmer-than-average conditions dominated across much of the globe's surface, resulting in the highest temperature departure for June since global temperature records began in 1880.
This was also the 14th consecutive month the monthly global temperature record has been broken - the longest such streak in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s 137 years of record keeping.
The June 2016 combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces was 0.90 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average, besting the previous record set in 2015 by 0.02 degrees Celsius.
The last time June global land and ocean temperatures were below average was in 1976. June 2016 tied with March 2015 as the ninth highest monthly temperature departure among all months (1,638) on record.
Overall, 14 of the 15 highest monthly temperature departures in the record have all occurred since February 2015, with January 2007 among the 15 highest monthly temperature departures.
June 2016 also marks the 378th consecutive month with temperatures at least nominally above the 20th century average. The last month with temperatures below the 20th century average was December 1984.
Record warmth was sporadically across parts of the southwestern contiguous US, southern Mexico, northeastern Brazil, northeastern and southwestern Africa, the Middle East, northern Australia, and Indonesia.
The only land area with cooler-than-average conditions during June 2016, according to the percentiles map, was central and southern South America.
No land areas had a record cold temperature during June 2016. Five of six continents had at least a top five warm June, with North America observing a record high average temperature for June.
June 2016 marks the 34th consecutive June with temperatures at least nominally above average. The last time global land surface temperatures were below average in June was in 1982.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
