July's temperature across land and ocean surfaces worldwide was 1.71 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average of 60.4. It was the highest for July since records began in 1880, besting the record set in 2016 by 0.05 degrees.

Some of the significant temperature differences were seen across Alaska central Europe , northern and southwestern parts of Asia, and parts of Africa and Australia. Temperatures were at least 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above the average.

Nine of the 10 warmest Julys have occurred since 2005, with the past five years being the five warmest on record.

A contributing factor: July is typically the world's warmest month of the year.

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