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India's August Shocker: Hottest Ever Recorded
2 Sep
Summary
- August 2026 became India's warmest August since records began in 1901.
- Nighttime temperatures, not daytime, drove August 2026's record heat.
- Below-normal rainfall and an El Nino event contributed to the warm August.
August 2026 has been declared the warmest August since record-keeping began in 1901. India's average mean temperature reached 28.01°C, exceeding the 1991-2020 normal by 0.67°C. This record-breaking warmth was predominantly caused by unseasonably high nighttime temperatures, which averaged 24.36°C, also a record for August. Daytime temperatures were high but did not set new records, ranking fourth-highest instead.
The unusual warmth is linked to a below-normal rainfall pattern across much of the country. While some areas experienced intense rainfall, large parts had prolonged dry spells. This uneven distribution of rain prevented temperatures from cooling sufficiently at night. The ongoing El Nino event, with significantly above-normal sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, is also influencing India's monsoon and temperature patterns as predicted.
This anomaly illustrates a concerning deviation from historical weather norms. The persistence of warm nights across most of India, particularly pronounced in the East and Northeast, underscores the changing climate. South Peninsular India recorded its second-highest mean temperature, and Northwest India experienced its fifth-highest. The situation highlights a worrying trend in India's climate.
