January 2025 was noted as the warmest January on record, with temperatures exceeding previous highs despite La Nina’s usual cooling effects. The average temperature reached 13.23 degrees Celsius, continuing a trend of record warmth observed globally. The effects of climate warming are becoming more pronounced, with sea surface temperatures remaining elevated and Arctic sea ice at a record low for January.
The European climate agency has reported that January 2025 was the warmest January on record, occurring despite the cooling influence typically associated with La Nina. The average temperature for that month was 13.23 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in January 2024 by 0.09 degrees, and 0.79 degrees higher than the average from 1991 to 2020. This trend follows 2024, which was recorded as the hottest year in history, with global temperatures rising 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.
La Nina is characterized by cooler surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean, typically resulting in slightly lower global temperatures, while reinforcing extreme weather patterns globally. In contrast to La Nina, its counterpart, El Nino, increases global temperatures. Despite the presence of La Nina, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) indicates that global temperatures have consistently remained above this threshold for 18 of the last 19 months.
Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S, stated that the record high temperatures observed over the past two years continue nonetheless, even amidst La Nina conditions, which are expected to have a cooling effect. Furthermore, the most recent 12-month period recorded a temperature increase of 1.61 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, coinciding with unusually high sea surface temperatures (SSTs) globally.
January’s average sea surface temperature was recorded at 20.78 degrees Celsius, making it the second warmest January on record. Evidence suggests that while La Nina influences are apparent, ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific remain above normal, indicative of a potential slowdown in La Nina effects. In the Arctic region, sea ice extent reached a record low for January, falling 6 percent below average, nearly equal to the record lows of January 2018.
The World Meteorological Organization recently declared 2024 as the hottest year recorded, with global mean temperatures exceeding 1.55 degrees Celsius compared to the baseline period of 1850-1900. It is crucial to note that a significant and sustained breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius limit as defined in the Paris Agreement pertains to long-term temperature changes over two to three decades, calling for ongoing vigilance against climate change.
The conversation surrounding climate change has become increasingly pressing, particularly in light of recent record temperatures. January 2025 marked another unprecedented spike in global temperatures, even as La Nina conditions suggest a cooling pattern. The Copernicus Climate Change Service has been monitoring these trends, echoing warnings from climate scientists about the severe implications of exceeding critical temperature thresholds. Understanding the persistent rise in temperature against seasonal patterns provides insight into the broader climate crisis.
In conclusion, the record warmth of January 2025 underscores a concerning trend in global temperatures, exacerbated by climate conditions such as La Nina failing to produce expected cooling effects. The continued observance of rising temperatures, coupled with unusual sea surface conditions and diminishing sea ice in the Arctic, calls for immediate and persistent global action to address climate change effectively. The insights from C3S and the World Meteorological Organization should serve to galvanize both awareness and response to this critical issue.
Original Source: www.newsdrum.in
