Global sea-surface temperatures in July tied with 2009 as the warmest on record for that month, keeping the world on track for one of its hottest years, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ocean surfaces last month were 0.59 degrees above the average for the 20th century, equalling the record departure from the long-term norm for any month and shy only of the 0.64-degree anomaly set during June, NOAA said.

Oceans remain particularly warm.

Land surface temperatures were 0.74 degrees above average, the 10th warmest July on record.

Combining land and ocean surface temperatures, July was the fourth warmest on record, and the 353rd consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th century average.