Last year was the hottest ever truly recorded globally by a blistering margin, US scientists have confirmed, leaving researchers struggling to account for the severity of the heat and what it foretells for the unfolding climate crisis.

According to analyses released by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was the world’s hottest in records that stretch back to 1850. Noaa calculated that last years global temperature was 1.35C (2.4F) hotter, on average, than the pre-industrial era, which is slightly less than the 1.48C (2.6F) increase that EU scientist, who also found 2023 was the hottest on record, came up with due to slightly different methodologies. 

Along with the historic heat, Antarctic sea ice coverage also dropped to a record low in 2023. “After seeing the 2023 climate analysis, I have to pause and say that the findings are astounding.” said NOAA Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Kapnick. 

Below are the highlights from NOAA’s 2023 annual global climate report: