In January 2025, global temperatures soared to unprecedented levels, marking the warmest January on record.
Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that the month’s average surface air temperature was 13.23°C, which is 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 average for January and 1.75°C higher than pre-industrial levels.
This alarming rise occurred despite the presence of La Niña conditions, which typically have a cooling effect on global temperatures. Scientists are expressing concern over this trend, emphasizing the accelerating impact of climate change. Dr. Samantha Burgess from Copernicus stated, “The fact that we have just experienced the warmest January on record is a stark reminder of the urgency of our climate crisis.”
The persistently high sea-surface temperatures across various ocean basins have been identified as a significant contributing factor. These elevated temperatures have far-reaching implications, including intensified weather events and disruptions to marine ecosystems.
