Sudden surge of record high temperatures could propel 2023 as warmest year on record

This year could be a watershed moment in Earth's climate history.

Major global climatological records are breaking at a rapid rate, a trend likely to continue during the coming years as the world's oceans and atmosphere rebound sharply following a triple La Niña.

This year has already produced record-high global ocean temperatures and record-low Antarctic sea ice. And in recent weeks, a sudden surge of record-high air temperatures could propel 2023 to become the warmest year on record.