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January is usually a time of deep winter chills in many parts of the world, but this year, the planet experienced something far from ordinary. Instead of the expected seasonal cold, global temperatures surged to record-breaking levels, making January 2025 the hottest ever recorded. Even more startling, this happened despite the presence of La Niña, a natural climate phenomenon that typically cools global temperatures. Scientists now warn that the world has entered uncharted territory, where human-driven warming is overpowering natural climate patterns—raising urgent questions about how much worse things could get.
Record-Breaking Global Temperatures
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), January 2025’s global average temperature was 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the previous record set in January 2024. This marks the third-largest monthly temperature anomaly since records began. Notably, this record warmth occurred despite the emergence of La Niña conditions, which typically have a cooling effect on global temperatures. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, remarked, “January was another surprising month, continuing the record temperatures observed throughout the past two years, despite the development of La Niña.”
The persistent warmth is attributed to several factors, including ongoing greenhouse gas emissions and unusually high sea surface temperatures in various ocean basins. Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of Reading, noted that much of the global sea surface remained remarkably warm in early 2025 due to human-caused warming. He added that natural weather fluctuations can cause warmer or colder conditions over continental, contributing to the unexpected record global temperatures.
Regional Climate Anomalies
Significant regional anomalies mirrored the record-breaking global temperatures. Europe experienced its second-hottest January on record, with some areas witnessing temperatures far above average. In Russia, traditionally known for its harsh winters, cities like Moscow saw flowers blooming in January due to unseasonably warm conditions. The Russian Hydrometeorological Research Center reported record-high temperatures in several regions, suggesting that January could become the warmest on record for the country.
In the Arctic, parts of the Canadian region experienced temperatures 30°C warmer than average, leading to early ice melt in certain areas. Copernicus reported that the Arctic tied the January record for the lowest sea ice extent, highlighting the rapid changes occurring in polar climates.
Implications and Urgent Call for Action
Bill McGuire, emeritus professor of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, described the January temperature data as “both astonishing and, frankly, terrifying.” He emphasised that recent extreme weather events, such as the Valencia floods and the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, indicate that “dangerous, all-pervasive, climate breakdown has arrived.” Despite these alarming developments, he noted with concern that greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
The unexpected record temperatures, despite the cooling influence of La Niña, suggest that the underlying warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions is overwhelming natural climatic variations. This development calls for immediate and sustained global efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change.
The international community faces a critical juncture as the planet continues to warm at an unprecedented rate. Decisions will have lasting consequences for future generations, making it imperative to act decisively to address the crisis.
https://www.ft.com/content/b5d18aa4-92b0-45a5-8c31-4ec2646ff700
https://apnews.com/article/russia-climate-warming-temperatures-4793d1b5fa4db439050c6682625755f9
https://apnews.com/article/2c44da947d4b892448d18b61202a1457?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.ft.com/content/b5d18aa4-92b0-45a5-8c31-4ec2646ff700?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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