Recent Copernicus ERA5 and NOAA analyses confirm September 2026 as the second-warmest September globally, trailing only 2023, with a 1.63°C anomaly above preindustrial levels and record-high sea surface temperatures outside polar regions. This positioning stems from the long-term anthropogenic warming trend plus a strengthening super El Niño that released additional ocean heat, following August 2026's tie for the hottest month on record. Trader consensus at 96.9% for second place aligns with these verified observations rather than model projections. Revisions in final dataset processing or divergence between ERA5 and other records like GISS could theoretically alter the exact ranking, though current evidence makes such shifts improbable.