The World Meteriological Organization (WMO) says the earth just had the hottest September on record, since the 1900s.
“September had an average surface temperature of 16.38°C. This was 0.5°C above the temperature of the previous warmest September, in 2020, and around 1.75°C warmer for the month of September compared to the pre-industrial reference 1850-1900 period.”
The year 2023 is now on track to be the warmest year on record. Numerous high temperature records have been broken in recent months.
“Since June, the world has experienced unprecedented heat on land and sea. The temperature anomalies are enormous – far bigger than anything we have ever seen in the past. Antarctic winter sea ice extent was the lowest on record for the time of year. What is especially worrying is that the warming El Niño event is still developing, and so we can expect these record-breaking temperatures to continue for months, with cascading impacts on our environment and society” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.
A statement from the Cabinet of South Africa, urged residents to continue to use water sparingly.