El Niño and global heating pushes water vapour in Earth’s atmosphere to record levels in August
Global heating contributes to record, with a warmer atmosphere able to hold more water, scientists say
TL;DR
- August recorded the highest amount of water vapour in the Earth's atmosphere on record, according to Europe's climate change service.
- Global heating, which allows a warmer atmosphere to hold more water, and the historic El Niño in the Pacific Ocean are identified as major contributors to this record.
- The increase in water vapour is equivalent to approximately 20 trillion litres of additional water.
- August was also the joint hottest month on record, consistent with higher water vapour levels.
- Rising water vapour levels can increase the risk of intense rainfall and storms, as heat is released when water vapour condenses.
- Scientists highlight that water vapour is a greenhouse gas, contributing to a feedback loop that further warms the atmosphere.
- The root causes are attributed to emissions from burning fossil fuels and the El Niño, which are amplified by global heating.