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October sets a global temperature record in Copernicus data

October was the warmest such month in the Copernicus global temperature series, exceeding the previous high from 2023. The average also remained above the estimated pre-industrial level by more than 1.5 °C for a third consecutive month. Exceptional warmth in West Antarctica contrasted with cooler conditions across much of South America.

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An overhead aerial view of a white glacier meeting dark ocean water along the West Antarctic coast, with scattered sea ice.

October exceeds the previous global high

October 2026 was the warmest October in the global temperature series maintained by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The month’s average surface air temperature reached 15.35 °C, exceeding the 1991–2020 October average by 0.90 °C. In 2023, the previous record-holder, the October anomaly had reached 0.85 °C.[1]

Relative to the estimated 1850–1900 pre-industrial average, the month was 1.75 °C warmer. On that comparison, three months in a row have now exceeded 1.5 °C. These monthly figures use a different averaging period from the long-term warming limit in the Paris Agreement.[1]

Antarctic warmth contrasts with South American cold

West Antarctica had particularly large temperature anomalies, exceeding 7 °C across broad areas and reaching 11 °C locally. Copernicus associates the warmth with pressure patterns that carried marine air into the region. Across much of South America, the same wider circulation favoured a northward flow of polar air, bringing cooler-than-average conditions.[1]

The rolling annual average stays above the pre-industrial baseline

For the 12 months from November 2025 through October 2026, Copernicus calculated a global average 0.63 °C above the 1991–2020 baseline and a 1.51 °C rise relative to the estimated pre-industrial temperature. The first 10 months place 2026 second behind 2024 so far. The calendar-year ranking will also depend on November and December temperatures.[1]

References

  1. News sourceCopernicus Climate Change ServiceCopernicus reports the warmest October in its global temperature series↩1↩2↩3↩4
Space and explorationEnergy transition and climate

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