Workers cover their heads with the cardboard to avoid heatstroke during hot weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai in July. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers cover their heads with the cardboard to avoid heatstroke during hot weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai in July. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers cover their heads with the cardboard to avoid heatstroke during hot weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai in July. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers cover their heads with the cardboard to avoid heatstroke during hot weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai in July. Pawan Singh / The National

Sizzling: 2016 on track for hottest year on record


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MARRAKECH // The UN weather agency says 2016 is set to break the record for the hottest year since measurements began in the 19th century.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday that preliminary data through October shows global average temperatures this year are 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels.

That’s getting close to the limit set by the global climate agreement adopted in Paris last year. It calls for limiting the temperature rise since the industrial revolution to 2°C or even 1.5°C.

This year’s temperatures were boosted by the El Nino weather event.

The previous hottest year was 2015. WMO said 16 of the 17 hottest years have occurred this century.

* Associated Press