August shatters global heat records for 16th month in a row

Last month was the hottest August on record in modern times and marked the 16th month in row when global records for heat were shattered planet-wide, US authorities said today.

The string of unusual heat across land and sea surfaces is "the longest such streak in the 137-year record," said the monthly climate report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"The June-August and January-August global temperatures were also the highest on record," it said.