On July 22, 2024, NASA revealed that it was the hottest day on record, followed by July 21 and 23 exceeding the previous daily record set in July 2023. These record-breaking temperatures are part of a long-term warming trend attributed to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases. This data was collected as part of NASA’s mission to expand our understanding of Earth by collecting critical long-term observations of the changing planet. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the importance of this data in helping local communities prepare, adapt, and stay safe in the face of extreme heat.
The preliminary findings come from data analyses from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) and Goddard Earth Observing System Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) systems. These systems combine global observations from instruments on land, sea, air, and satellites using atmospheric models to provide rapid, near-real time weather data and ensure the use of high-quality observations. The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, runs these models to analyze the temperature data from 1980 to 2022 for comparison with the values from 2023 and 2024.
Daily global average temperature values from MERRA-2 for the years 1980-2022, 2023 in pink, and 2024 in red were compared with daily global temperature values from July 1 to 23, 2024, from GEOS-FP shown in purple. These results align with an independent analysis from the European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme, showing broad agreement in the change in temperature over time and hottest days. NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York also confirmed the daily temperature records, following 13 months of consecutive monthly temperature records based on the GISTEMP record using surface instrumental data alone dating back to the late 19th century.
NASA’s findings underscore the urgency of addressing climate change and its impact on global temperatures. The long-term warming trend driven by human activities poses significant challenges to communities worldwide, necessitating adaptation measures to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. By leveraging over two dozen Earth-observing satellites and over 60 years of data, NASA is playing a crucial role in providing critical analyses of our changing planet and supporting efforts to protect communities from the escalating impacts of climate change.
The Biden-Harris Administration has emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and taking steps to protect communities from extreme weather events, such as record-breaking heatwaves. NASA’s data analyses and observation systems play a key role in supporting these efforts and providing valuable insights into how our planet is changing. By monitoring global temperature trends and collaborating with international partners like the European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme, NASA is contributing to a comprehensive understanding of climate change and helping communities prepare for the challenges ahead.
As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, NASA’s ongoing research and data analyses are essential for tracking global temperature trends and informing adaptation strategies. By leveraging advanced modeling systems and satellite observations, NASA is at the forefront of monitoring the Earth’s changing climate and providing critical information to policymakers, scientists, and the public. The record-breaking temperatures in July 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.