2026年全球正经历极端高温天气，刷新多项气温纪录，深刻改变了人们对夏季的认知。美国国家海洋和大气管理局报告显示，美国连续48个州在7月创下历史最高气温[1]。同期，英国和法国的气温接近40摄氏度，是这些地区今年第五次热浪[1]。日本甚至创造了新的气象类别"kokusho-bi"（极度炎热日），用于标记危险高温天气[1]。
极端高温对日常生活造成广泛影响。根据美联社-NORC公共事务研究中心的民调，美国民众报告的极端高温影响——包括旅游度假、电费账单、睡眠质量和日常生活——相比2024年7月均有增加[1]。这一差异在地区间尤为显著：英国仅约4%的住宅配备空调，而美国约90%的住宅拥有空调[1]。世界气象组织发言人Clare Nullis指出："不仅仅是极端高温，我们还看到极端降雨和热带气旋，我们根本不是度假模式"[1]。
科学家指出，由于人为加速的全球变暖与超级厄尔尼诺的双重作用，2026年可能成为有记录以来最热的年份[1]。目前2026年已成为全球第三热年，仅次于2024年和2025年[1]。
The world is enduring unprecedented heat in 2026, with the year ranking as the third hottest on record, trailing only 2024 and 2025.[1] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that all 48 contiguous U.S. states experienced record-high temperatures in July.[1] Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and France are approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, marking the fifth heat wave in those regions this year.[1] Japan has introduced a new meteorological category called "kokusho-bi," or "extreme heat day," to identify dangerously high temperatures.[1]
The extreme temperatures are reshaping how people experience summer and daily life. An AP-NORC Public Affairs Research Center poll shows that Americans report significantly greater impacts from extreme heat on vacation travel, electricity costs, sleep, and everyday activities compared to July 2024.[1] The disparity in air conditioning availability underscores regional vulnerability, with only about 4 percent of British homes equipped with air conditioning, compared to approximately 90 percent of American homes.[1] According to Clare Nullis of the World Meteorological Organization, "It is not just extreme heat—we are also seeing extreme rainfall and tropical cyclones; we are simply not in vacation mode."[1]
Scientists attribute the severity of 2026's heat to accelerated human-caused global warming compounded by a super El Niño effect, making 2026 potentially the hottest year on record.[1]