Greece experienced its hottest July ever, according to preliminary weather data, the national observatory revealed on Monday. This follows a confirmed record in June.
The average temperatures from 1960 to 2024 rose by 2.5°C. The observatory highlighted that the three hottest Julys in the past 80 years were recorded in the last four years. July temperatures this year exceeded the previous record set in July 2012 by 0.3°C.
The country, a popular summer tourist destination, was forced to partially close the Acropolis during the hottest daylight hours due to drought and poor management leading to water shortages.
June was reported as the hottest month since 1960, showcasing unusually high temperatures for many days, far exceeding the country’s regular seasonal temperatures.
July 2024 in #Greece had an average temperature of 27.0C which is 2.9C above the 1991/2020 normal and was the HOTTEST JULY on record beating 2012 by 0.3C. Several records fell during the month,specially of highest minimums including in Athens. https://t.co/21mVrCn1n6
— Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) August 5, 2024
Scientists concur that climate change is leading to more frequent, prolonged, and intense bouts of extreme weather, such as heatwaves.
Monday 22 July marked the hottest day worldwide since records began in 1940 with a global average temperature of 17.15°C, according to the European network Copernicus, breaking the previous record of 17.09°C set the day before.
