July 2016 has gone into the record books as the hottest month in the world’s recorded history.
It has taken its place alongside a host of months which have also set records, according to data from Nasa.
Every month of 2016 so far has set temperature records for this particular month. July in turn has followed the pattern and has made it likely that 2016 will be the hottest year on record.
Records began in 1880 and July’s temperatures were the highest since then. July 2016 was 0.84C hotter than the 1951 to 1980 average for July, and 0.11C hotter than the previous record set in July just last year.
Nasa combines the temperature of the surface of the sea and air temperature on land.
Similar results were recorded by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa). It said that the last 14 months have shattered the temperature record for each month, although it has not yet announced its July figures.
Although it has now dissipated, this year’s El Niño has played a part in warming global temperatures and its tail end is still being felt.
See also: 'Portugal's second hottest July for 85 years'
