The average surface air temperature reached 17.09 degrees Celsius on Sunday, slightly higher than the previous record set in July last year of 17.08 degrees Celsius.

Heatwaves have scorched large areas of the United States, Europe and Russia over the past week.

Copernicus confirmed to Reuters that the daily average temperature record set last year appears to have been surpassed on Sunday, based on data that has been recorded since 1940.

Last year, the record was exceeded for four consecutive days, from July 3rd to 6th, as climate change led to extreme heat in the Northern Hemisphere.

Each month since June 2023—13 consecutive months—has been the warmest on record compared to the same month in previous years, according to Copernicus.

Some scientists have suggested that 2024 could surpass 2023, becoming the hottest year on record, as climate change and the natural weather phenomenon El Niño—which ended in April—have led to rising temperatures this year.