Scientists issue urgent global warming warning: February is on track to be the warmest in history as the planet warms 'accelerated'
This February is on track to be the warmest February on record as scientists warn the planet is warming at an 'accelerating' rate.
Data from the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute shows that the first eight days of the month have already broken records, and if rising temperatures continue, this will be the warmest February on record.
It comes as countries around the world have experienced unusually high temperatures for this time of year.
South Africa, where it is summer at this time of year, is sweltering with a heat wave with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius.
A heatwave advisory has been issued in the country, warning residents of extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions expected to continue from Thursday through the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to reach peak levels and according to reports, this is expected to cause health risks for vulnerable individuals.
CHILE: Forest fires are raging all over the world in the unusually hot month of February
CHILE: Forest fires rage this month as locals in the municipality of Quilpe, Valparaiso region, do their best to repair the damage
In Victoria, Australia, where it is also summer, rising temperatures have led to wildfires.
Emergency warnings have been issued due to fires in and near the Grampians National Park, with some communities told to take shelter.
Earlier this week, as bushfire warnings came out, residents in danger zones were told by officials to act immediately to survive.
Some were told it was too late to leave and instead take shelter from the raging fires.
Meanwhile, Britain is experiencing extremely high temperatures for this time of year. It was the warmest first eight days ever recorded.
A high of 18 degrees Celsius is not far off the hottest February day of all time, which was 20.6 degrees Celsius in 2019.
It's not just the air that heats up; the sea is also breaking records: it is almost one degree warmer than the 1982-2011 average.
Weather expert Dr Joel Hirschi, head of marine systems modeling at Britain's National Oceanography Centre, said warming is “accelerating”.
He said: 'The planet is warming faster and faster.
MOROCCO: Farmers in countries around the world are experiencing massive periods of drought. In Morocco, twelve weather stations recorded temperatures above 33.9 degrees Celsius in February, five degrees warmer than the July average.
AUSTRALIA: Emergency warnings have been issued due to fires in and near the Grampians National Park, with some communities told to take shelter. The temperature reached 35 degrees
'We are seeing rapid temperature increases in the ocean, the climate's largest heat reservoir.'
'The amplitude by which previous sea surface temperature records were exceeded in 2023 and now in 2024 exceeds expectations, but understanding why this is the case is the subject of ongoing research.'
According to geoscientist Zeke Hausfather, every month has been the warmest since last May.
The consequences are felt all over the world.
Maximiliano Herrera, a weather blogger, said recent heat records from meteorological stations have been “insane.”
The Guardian reports that monitoring stations in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Japan, North Korea, the Maldives and Belize have registered monthly heat records.
Herrera said that in Morocco, 12 weather stations saw temperatures reach more than 33.9 degrees Celsius, five degrees warmer than the July average.
The grim warning comes just a few days after temperatures reached 18 degrees Celsius in Britain.
The 'exceptionally mild' winter weather saw sun worshipers flock to the parks to soak up the heat and enjoy an ice cream or two.
It was also the hottest Valentine's night ever recorded, with a night temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius
With the warnings in effect and February appearing to follow the record pattern of the past nine months, scientists now say they are concerned not only about global warming, but also about the unpredictability of a natural weather system.
Great Britain: In the hot, record-breaking month of February, people took to the streets in hats and sunglasses
AUSTRALIA: A bushfire in Victoria, Australia occurred this month when temperatures rose to 35 degrees Celsius
An El Nino is a phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean where pressure changes cause warm water to flow eastward, bringing atmospheric heat. Of course it happens every few years or so.
An El Nina is the opposite of an El Nino and has a global cooling effect. An El Nina often follows an El Nino.
The planet is now in the midst of an El Nino, which is thought to have exaggerated temperature increases around the world.
The hope is that an El Nina will arrive soon, which will bring some cooling.
MADAGASCAR: The Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar, the first to suffer food shortages due to climate change, has suffered poor rainfall in recent months
CALIFORNIA: Drought has caused water levels in reservoirs like this one to drop rapidly
FRANCE: Here, higher temperatures are said to mean that a stinging insect, the pine processionary caterpillar, which is harmful to human and animal health, is now infesting almost all of mainland France.
However, according to Hausfather, the behavior of the climate has become more erratic and difficult to predict.
As reported in the Guardian, he said: '(Last year) defied expectations to such an extent that it is difficult to have so much confidence in the approaches we have used in the past to make these predictions.'
The scientist said he predicts February will be the hottest month on record.