May 2026 Ranked as the Second Warmest May Ever Recorded, EU Climate Program Says

BRUSSELS — Global temperatures in May 2026 reached the second-highest level ever recorded for the month, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, which linked the continued warming trend to the combined effects of climate change and the El Niño weather pattern.

Data released on June 10 showed that May 2026 ranked behind only May 2024, which remains the warmest May since modern temperature records began in 1940.

Scientists said the findings reflect the ongoing rise in global temperatures and highlight the increasing impact of extreme weather events around the world.

According to the Copernicus report, the average global temperature in May 2026 was 1.42 degrees Celsius higher than the average recorded before the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

Researchers have repeatedly warned that sustained increases in global temperatures are contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods and other climate-related disasters.

The latest figures add to a growing body of evidence showing that the Earth's climate continues to warm at an accelerated pace.

Earlier this year, Western Europe experienced one of the most intense heatwaves in its recorded history.

The extreme temperatures matched scientific projections that Europe is warming faster than any other continent. Experts have long identified the region as particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and increasingly severe weather patterns.

Heatwaves have become more common across Europe in recent years, raising concerns about public health, agriculture and water resources.

The unusually high temperatures have coincided with a series of major weather events in different parts of the world.

Severe flooding in China and Turkey caused deaths and widespread destruction, while parts of the Pacific Ocean recorded exceptionally high temperatures.

Scientists say these events are consistent with the broader effects associated with a warming climate and shifting atmospheric patterns

Climate experts also pointed to El Niño as a contributing factor behind the elevated temperatures.

The natural weather phenomenon develops every two to seven years when trade winds weaken and warm ocean waters spread across the eastern Pacific Ocean. Although El Niño occurs naturally, its effects can amplify the impacts of long-term climate change.

Specialists warned that the current El Niño event could strengthen in the coming months, increasing the likelihood of drought in some regions while raising the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding in others.

Climate researchers are closely watching temperature developments and weather patterns as concerns over global warming continue to grow.

The latest findings from the Copernicus Climate Change Service underscore the importance of monitoring climate indicators and preparing for the increasing frequency of extreme weather events that are affecting communities worldwide.

With temperatures continuing to remain well above historical averages, scientists expect climate adaptation and mitigation efforts to remain at the center of international discussions in the months ahead.

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