scorching temperatures this year broke records including july becoming the hottest month ever recorded on earth scientists said thursday the average global temperature in july was 171 degrees above the 20th century average of 604 degrees the hottest temperature that month since scientists began keeping track 140 years ago according to meteorologists at the national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa more dangerous heat wave scorches millions in midwest east coast in this file photo taken on july 25 2019 people cool off and sunbathe by the trocadero fountains next to the eiffel tower in paris as a new heatwave hits the french capital bertrand guayafpgetty images file the previous hottest month on record was july 2016 more how to stay safe and prepare an emergency supply kit the period from january through july was also the secondhottest year to date on record tying with 2017 the global temperature during that time was 171 degrees above the recorded average of 569 degrees according to noaa however in some parts of the world including north and south america asia australia new zealand and the southern half of africa it was the hottest year to date more records fall as last day of heat wave bakes midwest east coast ahira sanchezlugo one of the organizations national centers for environmental information scientists told abc news in an email that as the temperatures continue to warm extreme events such as heat waves and droughts will continue to become more common as the frequency and intensity of these extremes change we become increasingly vulnerable as these changes can affect our health as well as our food and water sources sanchezlugo said heat warnings slammed much of the eastern half of the us from kansas to ohio and north carolina to new hampshire last month on july 19 several heat index readings came close to setting records throughout the eastern region some of the temperatures the following day in places like new york city and philadelphia were expected to be the hottest in several years in europe a heat wave in july produced the highestever temperatures in belgium and germany while the netherlands saw its hottest day in 75 years according to the associated press