Globally, this year's September was one of the four warmest since records began in 1979, the European climate change service Copernicus announced on Thursday.
It was even likely to be the warmest September after 2020. In fact, the warmest Septembers, which still include those of 2016 and 2019, differed from each other by barely a tenth of a degree.
In some places in Europe, record warmth was achieved in September, while in the east it was colder than average. As a result, the temperature average for Europe as a whole was close to the average for the years 1991 to 2020.
Above-average temperatures for the time of year were recorded in north-west Africa, as well as in central South America and parts of China.
The EU Climate Change Service produces monthly reports on air temperature, sea ice and the water cycle.
It relies on data from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the globe, as well as model calculations.
Copernicus records date back to 1979.
