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The world's average temperature reached a new high on Monday 3 July, surpassing 17 degrees Celsius for the first time.
American researchers said the new record was the highest of any instrumental record dating back to the late 19th century.
Scientists believe a combination of a natural weather event known as El Niño and continued human emissions of carbon dioxide are driving the heat.
Last month was also confirmed as the world's warmest June on record. Average temperatures across the planet were 1.46 C above average in the period between 1850 and 1900.
Scientists at the US National Center for Environmental Prediction said the world's average temperature had reached 17.01C on July 3, breaking the previous record of 16.92C that had stood since August 2016.
Since the beginning of this year, researchers have been concerned about rising temperatures on land and in the sea.
The record spring heat in Spain and many countries in Asia has been followed by marine heat waves in places that don't normally see them, such as in the North Sea.
This week China continued to experience a sustained heat wave with temperatures in some places above 35 degrees Celsius, while the southern US has also been subject to sweltering conditions.
The El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, as it is properly called, has three distinct phases: hot, cold, or neutral. It is the most powerful swing in the climate system anywhere on Earth.
"The global average surface air temperature reaching 17C for the first time since we have reliable data is an important symbolic milestone in our warming world," said climate researcher Leon Simons. "Now that the warmest phase of El Niño is underway, we can expect many more daily, monthly and annual records to be broken in the next 1.5 years."
The UK also recorded its hottest June ever, while the impact of high temperatures is being felt at the extremes of the world. In Antarctica, the July temperature record was broken with a reading of 8.7C taken at Ukraine's Vernadsky Research Base.
Scientists believe more records will be broken as the summer continues and El Niño gains strength.
"Chances are that July will be the warmest month ever, and with it the hottest month ever: 'ever' meaning since the Eemian which is about 120,000 years ago," said Karsten Haustein, from the University of Leipzig.
"While Southern Hemisphere temperatures will cool slightly in the coming days, chances are that July and August will see even warmer days as El Niño is now almost in full swing."
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