2025 likely to rank among the top three warmest years on record, extending extreme warming trend

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2025 is on track to become either the second or third warmest year ever recorded.

Rising greenhouse gas concentrations and increasing ocean heat content remain the primary drivers behind the surge in global temperatures. The period from 2015 to 2025 is expected to include the 11 warmest years in the 176-year observational record.

From January to August 2025, global average temperatures were approximately 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, sea ice and glaciers continued to retreat, and the long-term trend of sea-level rise persisted.

Extreme weather events throughout the year — including floods, heatwaves, wildfires and storms — caused widespread disruption to lives, economies and food systems.

Experts warn that limiting global warming to 1.5°C in the near term is becoming increasingly difficult. However, they stress that it remains possible to bring temperatures back below this threshold by the end of the century.

The report also highlights the growing importance of early warning systems and climate services. While more countries are adopting these tools, significant gaps remain in global preparedness.

Overall, the findings underline that global warming is continuing at an alarming pace, with increasingly widespread impacts across the planet.