The year 2025 has started with the warmest January ever recorded, with global average temperatures reaching 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, despite the transition towards a cooling La Niña phase. Scientists warn that 2025 is on track to become the third-warmest year on record, highlighting the persistent impact of climate change.
Temperatures were notably above average in regions like northeast Canada, Alaska, Siberia, southern South America, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. However, some areas such as parts of the U.S., eastern Russia (Chukotka and Kamchatka), Arabian Peninsula, and mainland Southeast Asia experienced below-average temperatures
While La Niña typically brings cooler global temperatures, the continued influence of greenhouse gas emissions is pushing global climate trends towards unprecedented heat levels. Experts stress the need for urgent climate action as extreme weather events continue to intensify worldwide.
Scientists predict that while January’s record-breaking warmth is surprising given current conditions (La Niña), overall expectations are that 2025 will likely be the third-warmest year on record rather than surpassing previous years’ highs like those seen in 2023 and 2024.