International News: World Meteorological Organization record heat, drought, wildfires and flooding across globe

By Zoila Palma: Record-breaking temperatures, drought, wildfires and flooding continued to affect countries around the world through July and early August 2026, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The agency said the latest extreme weather events highlight the growing need for reliable forecasts, early warnings and climate monitoring to reduce the impacts on communities and economies.

July 2026 was jointly the warmest July on record globally, tying with July 2024, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Copernicus Climate Change Service ranked July as the second-warmest on record, with global surface air temperatures averaging 1.47°C above the estimated pre-industrial baseline. Both datasets also recorded the highest global sea surface temperatures ever measured for the month of July.

The WMO said the ten warmest Julys on record have all occurred since 2016, with 2023 through 2026 occupying the top four positions. North America, Africa and Asia experienced their warmest July on record, while Western Europe endured its hottest June-July period on record.

Persistent heat, exceptionally low soil moisture and drought have affected agriculture, ecosystems, river levels, transportation and energy supplies while increasing the risk of wildfires.

Extreme weather has also brought deadly flooding to several regions.

Heavy monsoon rainfall caused severe flooding in India, Bangladesh and other parts of South and Southeast Asia, while Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan experienced flash floods.

China faced severe flooding and mass evacuations linked to tropical cyclones, including the evacuation of approximately 700,000 people following Typhoon Noul in late July.

In Western Europe, low rainfall contributed to exceptionally low river flows in major waterways including the Seine, Rhine and Danube.

WMO climate information chief John Kennedy said the recent extremes reflect the combined effects of long-term global warming and persistent high- and low-pressure weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere.

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