January 2025 became the hottest month on record, with temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels as reported by Copernicus. The month continues the pattern of elevated temperatures, even amid La Niña conditions. Regional disparities in temperatures were noted, alongside heavier than average rainfall leading to flooding in some areas.
January 2025 has recorded the highest temperatures ever noted, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union. The mean temperature reached 1.75 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and 0.79°C more than the average from 1991 to 2020, with a mean surface air temperature of 13.23°C. This record continues the trend of elevated temperatures observed over the previous two years, highlighting ongoing climate change issues.
Samantha Burgess from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts commented, “January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures seen over the last two years, despite the development of La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific and their temporary cooling effect on global temperatures.” Additionally, the report indicated that the global average surface air temperature has remained above 1.5°C over 18 of the past 19 months.
The report from Copernicus indicated significant regional temperature variations. Above-average temperatures were recorded in southeastern Europe, parts of North America including Alaska and Canada, as well as throughout Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. Contrarily, northern Europe, the United States, and certain regions of Eastern Russia experienced below-average temperatures.
Copernicus also reported that the average sea surface temperature for January 2025 was 20.78ºC, which is almost the second-highest recorded for this month, just 0.19°C lower than January 2024. The report highlighted that January was predominantly wetter than usual, with heavy precipitation leading to flooding in various areas, especially in Western Europe and parts of Australia.
The global climate continues to exhibit concerning trends, as reflected in the recent data reported by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The rise in global temperatures has been consistent, with the past two years witnessing unprecedented heat levels, despite natural phenomena such as La Niña that typically offer some cooling effects. By understanding these temperature anomalies and rainfall patterns, climatologists can better prepare for future climate variations and their potential impacts.
To summarize, January 2025 set a new record for the highest global temperatures since records began, with a marked increase over pre-industrial averages. Although La Niña conditions were developing, they have not mitigated the upward temperature trends observed. With significant rainfall contributing to flooding in various regions, the report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing climate crisis.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
