February 2026 was noted as the fifth warmest February on record, with an average temperature of 1.49 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to Copernicus, the EU's climate monitoring service.
According to the EU's climate monitoring service Copernicus, February 2026 has been recorded as the fifth warmest February globally, with an average temperature of 1.49 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This temperature is alarmingly close to the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement, highlighting ongoing challenges in global climate efforts.
The average temperature for February 2026 was 13.26 degrees Celsius, which is notably 0.53 degrees above the 30-year climate average from 1991 to 2020. This stark rise not only underscores the effects of climate change but also indicates a concerning trend as monthly temperatures continue to surpass historical figures, emphasizing the urgent need for more robust climate action.
In comparison, January of the same year saw a similar trend where the average temperature was recorded at 1.47 degrees above pre-industrial levels. These continuing upward temperature anomalies call for immediate attention as they not only breach agreed climate targets but also pose significant risks to weather patterns, ecosystems, and global climate stability.
