July was the warmest month since temperature records began 136 years ago, according to Nasa.

Scientists in New York from the agency’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies analysed global temperatures, and discovered that last month was warmer than July 2015, 2011, and 2009 by just 0.1 degrees.

And because the seasonal temperature cycle peaks in July, it means last month was the warmest month ever recorded.

GISS Director Gavin Schmidt said: “It wasn’t by the widest of margins, but July 2016 was the warmest month since modern record keeping began in 1880.

“It appears almost a certainty that 2016 also will be the warmest year on record.”

The record warm July continued a streak of 10 consecutive months dating back to October 2015 that have set new monthly high-temperature records.

Compared to previous years, the warmer global temperatures last month were most pronounced in the northern hemisphere, particularly near the Arctic region.

The news comes after weeks of sunny spells and warm weather across south-east London and north Kent.

Today temperatures soared to 24C. as the glorious sunshine peaked, with highs expected to drop slightly over the next few days.