August Sets Global Temperature Record

Why it matters locally: The record-breaking global and national temperatures highlight ongoing climate change challenges that could affect District of Columbia's infrastructure, public health, and energy consumption, particularly during extreme weather events.

---

August recorded the highest global average temperatures ever measured, according to scientific assessments. This development follows a summer during which temperatures in the United States also surpassed historical records. Researchers documented August's global average temperature as the highest on record. Simultaneously, summer temperatures across the United States exceeded all prior measurements.