If we take a simple measure of the number of days with maxima over 28°C then summer of 2023/2024 was the hottest on record for Lord Howe Island. There were 36 days with maximum temperatures recorded over 28°C. The previous highest number of days over 28°C was 2018/2019 summer with 33 days.

Also January, February, March 2024 was the driest same months on record, with just 72.2 mm rainfall. The previous driest January, February, March was in 2014 which had 96.4mm rain. The long term average rainfall for these three months on the Island is 337 mm.

These hot dry conditions have impacted the forest with many of the larger-leafed plants wilting, and even dying. Also the heads of 15 mature Curly palm trees in Steven’s reserve in February collapsed, along with about 60 smaller ones without a trunk yet. At some other areas across the Island there are scattered dead Howea palms — Transit Hill, Red Point, Signal Point.

Our record hot summer air temperatures are no doubt linked to the hot pool of water that was in the Tasman Sea surrounding Lord Howe Island for many weeks in February and March, as the surrounding ocean temperature determines our air temperatures.

This hot pool of water has had an impact on our marine environment. Some coral species in the shallow Lagoon and at Neds Beach suffered significant bleaching, perhaps worse than the March 2019 bleaching event. The water has cooled a bit now and it is hoped that the bleached corals will recover now that we are moving into autumn. However, research has shown that with frequent severe bleaching events there can be permanent damage to coral reefs.

According to the World Meteorological Organisation State of the Global Climate 2023 report, 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45°C (with a margin of uncertainty of ± 0.12 °C) above the pre-industrial baseline. It was the warmest ten-year period on record. Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year and numerous weather disasters occurred as climate change reared its head. Global average sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) were at a record high from April onwards, with the records in July, August and September broken by a particularly wide margin. Marine heatwaves are becoming more severe and frequent, with devastating consequences for iconic coral reefs, kelp forests and other marine ecosystems.