Earth Posts Hottest August On Record And 16th Straight Hottest Month

"Record-breaking heat has never persisted on the planet for so long.

Not only did Earth witness its hottest August on record, according to NOAA, but it also extended its streak of record-warm months to 16. Such a lengthy period of record-setting warmth is unprecedented in 137 years of temperature observation, NOAA said.

August’s average temperature was 1.66 degrees above the 20th century average, 0.09 degrees above the previous warmest August — set just one year ago.

Unusually warm conditions covered most of the globe. “Five of the six continents had at least a top ten warm August, with Africa and Asia observing a record high average temperature for August since continental records began in 1910,” NOAA reported."

Jason Samenow reports for the Washington Post September 20, 2016.