Copernicus findings: Earth records fourth warmest September

Earth has just experienced its fourth warmest September on record, whilst Greenland witnessed unprecedented heat.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service has found that the global average temperature for September was 0.3C above the 1991-2020 period, making it the joint fourth warmest September with 2016.

Regionally, some parts of northern and north-eastern Europe did see below average temperatures, but the UK and Ireland both saw above average temperatures.

Greenland in particular had exceptionally high temperatures that reached more than 8C above the monthly average in places, with the warmest temperatures on record overall for September. Unprecedented warmth here also led to exceptional melting.

Arctic daily sea ice reached its 9th lowest annual minimum mid-month in September, whilst the monthly average ranked 11th lowest; both well below average.

Antarctic sea ice ranked in the lowest five for any September, following several months prior of record and close-to-record low monthly extent.