Earth experiences second hottest April on record

This past April was the second hottest in recorded history, according to data released by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The report found that April 2019 was the second hottest month since records began in 1891, rivaled only by April 2016.

Five of the hottest recorded Aprils have occurred in the past decade, according to the agency, with April 2017 and 2018 being the third and fourth hottest months respectively across the globe. April 2014 and 1998 tied for fifth.

This April’s temperatures were 0.43 degrees Celsius above the recorded average, the data found.{mosads}

The findings follow a trend of increasing temperatures and weather events tied to climate change.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that the last 12 months ending in April were the wettest yearlong stretch in the U.S. on record.

Scientists say rain and flooding are direct results of rising global temperatures. As temperatures rise, glaciers melt, more water evaporates and expansive downpours occur in many regions.

This week scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography also found that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have hit an alarming high. Atmospheric readings found that carbon dioxide levels hit 415.26 parts per million, the highest concentration of the harmful greenhouse gas in the air in human history.

The increase has been attributed to fossil fuel burning, deforestation and other human causes.