Wmo

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says the world's leading weather stations confirm the Earth has just had the warmest June on record, since record keeping began in 1880.

The WMO reported more than 90% of the excess energy from increased concentrations of greenhouse gases goes into the ocean.

The WMO said the extreme heat is caused by “an atmospheric blocking pattern,” which has led to a “heat dome” — a large area of high pressure — trapped by low pressure on either side.

Meteorologists say nine of the 10 warmest Junes on record have occurred since 2010. The 10th record-holder was in June 1998. WMO says last month's record-breaking temperatures were felt across the globe. It says no land or ocean areas have recorded cold temperatures in June.

The World Meteorological Organization is calling for urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change in Africa, which threatens food security, health and socio-economic development on the continent. WMO has just launched a multi-agency publication, "The State of the Climate in Africa 2019."

According to WMO, the lowest temperature noted was -89.2 C, recorded on July 21, 1983, in Vostok, Antarctica. Yes, Celsius, not Fahrenheit. In the latter, that’s minus 128.5 degrees.