US agency says July 2019 was planet's hottest month on record since 1880

WASHINGTON - Temperatures in July were the hottest ever recorded globally, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Thursday, while satellite data showed polar ice shrank to its lowest levels.

According to the NOAA, the average global temperature for the month was 0.95 C above the 20th century average of 15.8 C, making it the hottest July in its records, which go back to 1880.

"Much of the planet sweltered in unprecedented heat in July, as temperatures soared to new heights in the hottest month ever recorded. The record warmth also shrank Arctic and Antarctic sea ice to historic lows," the agency said.