Trader consensus heavily favors May 2026 ranking as the second-hottest on record due to sustained elevated global sea surface temperatures and the ongoing influence of recent record-warm years. Observational data from agencies like NOAA and Copernicus show that ocean heat content remains near peak levels following the strong 2023–2024 El Niño, with 2024 holding the top annual ranking and 2025 close behind. Model runs indicate limited cooling through spring 2026 despite ENSO-neutral conditions, keeping monthly anomalies high but below the 2024 benchmark. A potential El Niño emergence later in 2026 could further support warmth, though final rankings depend on precise May anomaly calculations released in coming weeks. Scenarios that could shift outcomes include unexpectedly strong La Niña development or revisions in sea-surface temperature datasets.
Experimental AI-generated summary referencing Polymarket data. This is not trading advice and plays no role in how this market resolves. · Updated2026 May 1st, 2nd, 3rd hottest on record?
2nd hottest 98.6%
3rd hottest 1.1%
1st hottest <1%
4th or lower <1%
$237,235 Vol.
$237,235 Vol.
1st hottest
1%
2nd hottest
99%
3rd hottest
1%
4th or lower
<1%
2nd hottest 98.6%
3rd hottest 1.1%
1st hottest <1%
4th or lower <1%
$237,235 Vol.
$237,235 Vol.
1st hottest
1%
2nd hottest
99%
3rd hottest
1%
4th or lower
<1%
Note: If May 2026 is tied for first, second, or third hottest with another year, it will qualify for the bracket it ties with.
The primary resolution source for this market will be the figures found in the table titled "GLOBAL Land-Ocean Temperature Index in 0.01 degrees Celsius" under the column "May" (https://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabledata_v4/GLB.Ts+dSST.txt). If NASA's "Global Temperature Index" is rendered permanently unavailable, other information from NASA may be used.
If no information for May 2026 is provided by NASA by June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM ET, a consensus of credible sources will be used to resolve this market.
Market Opened: Apr 27, 2026, 4:32 PM ET
Resolver
0x69c47De9D...Note: If May 2026 is tied for first, second, or third hottest with another year, it will qualify for the bracket it ties with.
The primary resolution source for this market will be the figures found in the table titled "GLOBAL Land-Ocean Temperature Index in 0.01 degrees Celsius" under the column "May" (https://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabledata_v4/GLB.Ts+dSST.txt). If NASA's "Global Temperature Index" is rendered permanently unavailable, other information from NASA may be used.
If no information for May 2026 is provided by NASA by June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM ET, a consensus of credible sources will be used to resolve this market.
Resolver
0x69c47De9D...Trader consensus heavily favors May 2026 ranking as the second-hottest on record due to sustained elevated global sea surface temperatures and the ongoing influence of recent record-warm years. Observational data from agencies like NOAA and Copernicus show that ocean heat content remains near peak levels following the strong 2023–2024 El Niño, with 2024 holding the top annual ranking and 2025 close behind. Model runs indicate limited cooling through spring 2026 despite ENSO-neutral conditions, keeping monthly anomalies high but below the 2024 benchmark. A potential El Niño emergence later in 2026 could further support warmth, though final rankings depend on precise May anomaly calculations released in coming weeks. Scenarios that could shift outcomes include unexpectedly strong La Niña development or revisions in sea-surface temperature datasets.
Experimental AI-generated summary referencing Polymarket data. This is not trading advice and plays no role in how this market resolves. · Updated

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