Global temperatures remained extremely high in March. On Tuesday, Europe’s climate agency, Copernicus, confirmed this trend. Europe experienced its hottest March ever, by a wide margin. As a result, rainfall patterns across the continent changed drastically. Europe is warming faster than any other region in the world.
Meanwhile, the world as a whole had its second-hottest March ever recorded in the Copernicus database. This continues an intense heat trend that began in July 2023. Since then, most months have either broken or nearly broken heat records.
Temperatures Rise Beyond 1.5°C Threshold
Since mid-2023, every month has been at least 1.5°C hotter than pre-industrial levels. In March, the increase reached 1.6°C. This warming dates back to when people started using large amounts of coal, oil, and gas.
According to Friederike Otto from Imperial College London, “That we’re still at 1.6C above preindustrial is indeed remarkable.” She added, “We’re very firmly in the grip of human-caused climate change.”
Climate Change Fuels Extreme Weather
Scientists warn that even small increases in global temperatures can lead to more extreme weather. These include stronger heatwaves, heavier rain, and longer droughts. Climate change affects more than just the heat—it also disrupts how the Earth’s systems work.
For instance, warmer oceans create more evaporation. This puts more moisture into the air, which causes heavier rains. It also energizes storms like cyclones and shifts rainfall patterns across the globe.
Europe Sees Both Floods and Droughts
In March, Europe’s temperature was 0.26°C higher than the previous March record set in 2014. Moreover, the month brought extreme rainfall variations. Samantha Burgess from Copernicus said, “It was a month with contrasting rainfall extremes.” Some areas had the driest March in decades. In contrast, others saw their wettest in 50 years.
Other Regions Feel the Heat
Meanwhile, extreme weather also hit other parts of the world. Central Asia experienced a severe heatwave in March. At the same time, Argentina saw intense rainfall that killed 16 people. Scientists confirmed that climate change worsened both events.
Heat Surges in 2023 and 2024
The ongoing heat pushed 2023 to become the hottest year ever recorded. Now, 2024 seems on track to follow. Last year was also the first full year with temperatures above 1.5°C. That mark is the safer limit set by the Paris Agreement.
Although the breach was temporary, scientists say the goal of staying below that level is slipping away. They had expected some relief after El Niño peaked in early 2024. Typically, El Niño warms the planet, and La Niña brings cooling.
However, global temperatures have stayed high. Experts are now discussing what other factors might be raising the heat so dramatically.
Data Collection Tracks Long-Term Trends
The Copernicus program gathers data using satellites, ships, aircraft, and land stations. Their climate records go back to 1940. Additionally, scientists use ice cores, tree rings, and coral samples to study past climate conditions.
As a result, they believe this may be the warmest period Earth has seen in 125,000 years.
