SRINAGAR: The world has just experienced its hottest January ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which cited data from the UN-backed Copernicus Climate Service. Last month’s temperatures were 1.75 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and 0.79°C higher than the 1991-2020 average, defying expectations that the La Niña weather phenomenon might bring cooler conditions.
The latest data has surprised climate scientists, with Copernicus noting that January 2025 marks the 18th month in the past 19 where global average surface air temperatures have exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. “January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures observed throughout the last two years, despite the development of La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific and their temporary cooling effect on global temperatures,” said Samantha Burgess, Copernicus Strategic Lead for Climate.
Extreme weather patterns accompanied the record-breaking heat. In the northern hemisphere, western Europe, parts of Italy, Scandinavia, and the Baltic region saw above-average rainfall, with heavy precipitation and flooding in some areas. In contrast, drier-than-normal conditions were recorded in northern UK and Ireland, eastern Spain, and areas around the Black Sea.
Beyond Europe, wetter-than-average conditions affected Alaska, Canada, central and eastern Russia, eastern Australia, southeastern Africa, and southern Brazil, leading to floods and damage. However, parts of the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, northern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, eastern China, and much of southern Africa, South America, and Australia saw drier-than-average conditions.
Scientists attribute the rise in global temperatures primarily to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, which has resulted in record concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Deforestation and other environmental changes have also played a significant role in exacerbating climate change.
The findings reinforce the urgency of efforts to curb global warming, as the international community had set a goal in 2015 to limit the average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. With recent trends showing a consistent breach of that threshold, experts warn that immediate action is needed to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change.
