May 2026 Marks Second-Warmest May on Record Globally
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that May 2026 was the second-warmest May on record globally, with global average surface air temperatures reaching 15.81°C. Western Europe experienced an unusually early and intense heatwave, breaking multiple local temperature records. The findings highlight the accelerating climate crisis, with rising ocean temperatures and emerging El Niño conditions.
May 2026 has been confirmed as the second-warmest May on record globally, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The global average surface air temperature reached 15.81 degrees Celsius, which is 0.55 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. This reading was surpassed only by May 2024 and stands 1.42 degrees Celsius above estimated pre-industrial levels, underscoring the continuing trend of global warming.
The report, released on June 11, 2026, highlights that the tropical Pacific is transitioning toward El Niño conditions, which are expected to develop in the coming months. Sea surface temperatures between 60 degrees south latitude and 60 degrees north latitude averaged 20.90 degrees Celsius, the second-highest on record for May. This combination of land and ocean heat is a clear signal of the accelerating climate crisis.
Western Europe faced an unusually early and intense heatwave in the second half of May, with countries such as France, Britain, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal setting multiple local temperature records. In some areas, "feels-like" temperatures soared to between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. This heatwave demonstrates how climate extremes are becoming more frequent and intense, as noted by Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. She stated that such events are becoming the new normal rather than the exception.
The findings from CGTN's report emphasize that the continued warming trend, combined with persistently high ocean temperatures and emerging El Niño conditions, points to growing risks of more frequent and intense climate extremes worldwide. The data serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action to mitigate these impacts.
