2023 on track to be warmest year as Sept sees record heat

Some of the strongest flooding, and heat spells, along with the highest sea surface temperatures and unprecedented shrinkage of polar ice have been recorded globally this year

- Jayashree Nandi

The month of September surpassed its heat record by 0.5°C and was hotter than the pre-industrial average by a whopping 1.75°C, according to weather agencies who said the year is shaping up to be the warmest year on record in what they described as an "ominous" sign of how the climate crisis is taking effect.

Overall, the global mean temperature to date was estimated to be 0.52°C above the current average, and 1.4°C above the pre-industrial average, showed data from EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Scientists have warned of catastrophic natural calamities if the world warms to above 1.5°C on average compared to the pre-industrial era (1850-1900).

Some of the strongest flooding and heat spells have been recorded this year, coupled with record high sea surface temperatures and unprecedented shrinkage of polar ice. And scientists fear more is to come since a planet-heating phenomenon known as the El Nino is only just taking hold.