Global Temperatures Remain High in 2025 Despite Slight Dip

Recent data from multiple scientific agencies show that global temperatures in 2025 remained at historically high levels, continuing an ongoing trend of warming despite short-term fluctuations.

According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Earth experienced its third-warmest year in 2025, with only a slight decrease compared to 2023. The UK Met Office also confirmed that 2025 ranked third in its temperature records, which date back to 1850. These findings indicate that the past year continued the pattern of elevated global temperatures seen in recent years.

Data compiled by Copernicus and the Met Office show that the average global temperature in 2025 was more than 1.4 °C above pre-industrial levels. This elevated temperature occurred even though La Niña, a natural climate phenomenon known for its cooling influence, was present during the year. Despite this, the global temperature remained much higher than levels observed a decade earlier.

Scientists have stated that unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially, further temperature records and more frequent extreme weather events are likely. According to the World Meteorological Organization, global warming increases the probability of events such as stronger hurricanes and heavier rainfall. These trends highlight the ongoing impact of rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

What the numbers show

• 2025 global average temperature was over 1.4 °C above pre-industrial levels
• There is an 80% chance of breaking an annual global temperature record in the next five years, according to the WMO
• The chance of exceeding 2 °C above pre-industrial levels before 2030 is estimated at around 1%
• 2025 was only 0.01 °C cooler than 2023, based on ECMWF data

Scientific explanations provided by experts at the Met Office indicate that while the long-term warming trend is primarily driven by human activity, individual years can show variation due to natural climate factors such as El Niño and La Niña. This means that short-term changes do not alter the overall pattern of increasing global temperatures observed over recent decades.

Forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization indicate a high probability that at least one year in the next five years will set a new global temperature record. The organization also projects an 86% chance that at least one year during this period will exceed 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. These projections are based on current climate data and observed trends.

Statements from Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus, suggest that the mid-2020s may appear relatively cool in retrospect if current warming trends continue. This perspective is based on the expectation that global temperatures will remain high or increase further in subsequent years if emissions are not reduced.

While La Niña conditions in 2025 provided some cooling influence, the overall temperature remained much higher than in earlier decades. This persistence of high temperatures, even during periods of natural variability, reflects the ongoing impact of human-driven climate change as described by scientific agencies and organizations.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.