January 2025 was the hottest month on record, with temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. Despite La Niña conditions, record highs persisted, indicating an alarming trend in global climate. Significant regional temperature variations were reported, and January was also notably wetter than average. Copernicus data drives awareness of these critical climate changes.
January 2025 marked a historical milestone as the hottest month ever recorded by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, with average global temperatures reaching 1.75 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This surpassed the normal January temperature by 0.79 degrees Celsius, resulting in an unprecedented surface air temperature of 13.23 degrees Celsius.
Samantha Burgess from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts noted, “January 2025 is another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures seen over the last two years, despite the development of La Niña conditions…which typically temporarily cool global temperatures.”
This recorded heat marks the 18th time in the last 19 months that global temperatures surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial averages. From February 2024 through January 2025, temperatures remained 1.61 degrees Celsius above the reference period of 1850-1900.
Significant above-average temperatures were largely noted in southeastern Europe, parts of Canada, Alaska, Siberia, southern South America, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. Conversely, regions experiencing below-average temperatures included northern Europe, the United States, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia.
The average sea surface temperature for January was recorded at 20.78 degrees Celsius, marking the second-highest value for that month, just shy of January 2024’s record by 0.19 degrees Celsius. The Copernicus report also highlighted an overall wetter January, particularly in Western Europe and various regions around the globe, leading to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in some areas.
Managed by the European Commission in collaboration with various member states and agencies, the Copernicus program utilizes data from satellites, aircraft, and weather stations to monitor climate change and environmental conditions globally.
In recent years, climate change has led to unprecedented temperature increases across the globe. The Copernicus Climate Change Service facilitates tracking of temperature variations, providing vital data that informs on climate trends. Historical reference periods utilized for determining abnormal temperature changes include pre-industrial levels, specifically the averages established from the 1850-1900 timeframe, against which recent fluctuations are measured. January 2025 stood out particularly due to the continuous rise in temperatures witnessed over the preceding months and years despite natural phenomena, like La Niña, that generally introduce cooling effects. Climate experts emphasize the importance of this data, given its implications for environmental policy and climate action initiatives.
The data from January 2025 illustrates a concerning trend in global temperatures, with records indicating a consistent rise above historical averages. This phenomenon underscores the urgency for addressing climate change, as demonstrated by the persistent heat and its unexpected rise despite influencing factors like La Niña. As events unfold, continual monitoring and accurate reporting by organizations like Copernicus will be crucial for understanding the broader impacts of climate change.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
