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January 2025 has set a new milestone in climate history, as it became the warmest January ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The announcement, made on Thursday, is based on data analyzed by the Copernicus Climate Service, a partner of the United Nations. This marks another significant indicator of the ongoing global temperature rise, underscoring the long-term trend of escalating heat across the globe.

Record Temperatures Despite La Niña Expectations

The global temperature for January 2025 was 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, and 0.79°C higher than the 1991-2020 average. The data comes as a surprise, especially given the development of the La Niña phenomenon, which typically has a cooling effect on global temperatures. Climate experts had anticipated that this natural event might moderate the overall warmth. However, January’s temperature readings defied these expectations, continuing a trend observed over the last two years.

Samantha Burgess, Copernicus’ Strategic Lead for Climate, pointed out that January's temperatures mark the 18th time in the past 19 months that global average surface air temperatures have been over 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This trend indicates that global temperatures are continuing to rise despite short-term climate events that might traditionally offer some cooling relief.

Regional Weather Extremes Across the Globe

While global temperatures surged, regional weather patterns during January 2025 varied significantly. In the northern hemisphere, many areas experienced wetter-than-average conditions, including parts of Western Europe, Italy, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries. These regions saw heavy precipitation and some flooding, contributing to localized damage and disruptions.

On the other hand, drier-than-average conditions were observed in the northern United Kingdom and Ireland, eastern Spain, and areas north of the Black Sea. The dry conditions extended beyond Europe, affecting regions in North America and Asia. Southwestern parts of the United States and northern Mexico, as well as northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia, endured drier conditions, while droughts were also reported in southern Africa, southern South America, and Australia.

In contrast, wetter-than-average conditions were noted in Alaska, Canada, central and eastern Russia, eastern Australia, southeastern Africa, and southern Brazil. Many of these areas saw floods and significant associated damage. These regional variations reflect the complex and varied impacts of climate change, which is not uniform across the globe.

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