January 2025: The Hottest Month Ever Recorded

January 2025 recorded the hottest temperatures ever, 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels according to Copernicus. Despite La Niña conditions, the trend of rising temperatures continued, with above-average temperatures notably affecting several regions worldwide. Additionally, the month was marked by heavy rainfall and flooding in various locations, indicating ongoing climate change repercussions.

January 2025 has been officially declared the hottest month in history, with temperatures reaching 1.75 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as reported by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The average surface air temperature recorded was 13.23°C, surpassing the 1991-2020 monthly average by 0.79°C. This month marks a continuation of a trend where 18 of the last 19 months have exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial averages.

Samantha Burgess from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts noted the unusual circumstances, stating that the record temperatures persisted even amid La Niña conditions, which typically exert a temporary cooling effect. From February 2024 to January 2025, global surface air temperatures averaged 1.61°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial baseline.

The report highlighted regions experiencing above-average temperatures, including southeastern Europe, Alaska, Siberia, and much of Australia. Conversely, some areas like northern Europe and the eastern United States reported below-average temperatures. Furthermore, the average sea surface temperature for January was recorded at 20.78ºC, marking the second-highest January temperature on record, just shy of January 2024’s temperature by 0.19°C.

Copernicus reported that January 2025 was also characterized by significantly above-average rainfall in many regions, leading to flooding in various areas, particularly in Western Europe and parts of Scandinavia, among others. The Copernicus program utilizes advanced observational technologies to produce critical climate-related data for analysis.

Managed by the European Commission and collaborating with various entities, including ESA and ECMWF, the Copernicus climate service plays a vital role in monitoring and understanding changes in our environment and climate.

The record-setting temperatures reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service underline a concerning global trend in climate change, with increasing monthly average temperatures recognized since early 2024. The data from January 2025 emphasizes an alarming consistency in warmer-than-average temperatures, accompanying reports of extreme weather patterns that include both unusual heat and heavy rainfall in different parts of the world. The ongoing influence of phenomena such as La Niña, which is expected to have a cooling effect, further complicates the current climatic scenario by contrasting with persistently high temperatures in numerous regions.

In summary, January 2025 not only broke temperature records but continued a worrisome trend of elevated global temperatures that have persisted for almost two years. Regions worldwide observed significant deviations in temperature, with noted impacts from rainfall contributing to flooding in several areas. These developments highlight the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for enhanced monitoring and intervention strategies.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com