GENEVA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The world saw its joint second-warmest July on record, as extreme heat, persistent drought and wildfires affected large parts of the Northern Hemisphere while heavy rainfall and flooding hit other regions, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Tuesday.
The global average surface air temperature in July was 1.47 degrees Celsius above the estimated pre-industrial average for 1850-1900, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service cited by the WMO.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record, with extreme heat continuing into August and some countries now facing their fourth heatwave since May, the WMO said.
"What we have seen over the last few months is the combined effect of long-term warming with a persistent pattern of alternating high- and low-pressure systems stretching across the Northern Hemisphere," said John Kennedy, head of climate information at the WMO.
High-pressure systems are typically associated with high temperatures and dry conditions, while low-pressure systems tend to bring cooler and wetter weather, Kennedy said, adding that such high-pressure patterns can persist for days or even weeks, as seen this year.
In Western Europe, the prolonged spell of extreme heat continued as widespread dryness observed between March and June persisted and intensified, the WMO said.
Exceptionally low rainfall and soil moisture were reported in France, Spain, parts of Germany and Britain, as well as areas further east. The heat, low soil moisture and drought have taken a heavy toll on ecosystems and agriculture, lowered river levels, disrupted transport and energy production, and increased the risk of wildfires, according to the WMO.
July also saw exceptional wildfire activity across Western Europe in terms of both the area burned and emissions, the WMO said. ■
