January 2025 was recorded as the hottest January globally despite La Nina’s cooling effect, following 2024 as the hottest year on record. Average temperatures reached 13.23 degrees Celsius, significantly exceeding pre-industrial levels. Ongoing concerns are noted about elevated sea surface temperatures and Arctic sea ice extent.
The planet recorded its hottest January on record in January 2025, as reported by the European climate agency, despite the presence of La Nina, a climate pattern known for typically inducing cooler temperatures worldwide. This anomalous increase in temperature follows a trend where 2024 marked the hottest year on record, with global averages surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Average global temperatures reached 13.23 degrees Celsius in January 2025, surpassing the previous record set in January 2024 by 0.09 degrees and standing 0.79 degrees above the average from 1991 to 2020. Scientists highlighted that this month’s temperatures were 1.75 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels, with a significant 18 of the last 19 months maintaining temperatures above the 1.5-degree mark.
Samantha Burgess, the Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), remarked on the surprising nature of these continued high temperatures, which persisted even amidst developing La Nina conditions that typically result in temporary cooling. La Nina is characterized by cooler surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean and generally has a cooling effect on global temperatures.
Additionally, the period from February 2024 to January 2025 recorded an average temperature 1.61 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In the interim, sea surface temperatures remained unusually elevated with January averages reaching 20.78 degrees Celsius, marking the second warmest January on record.
Although indications of La Nina were observed in the central Pacific, ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific continued to exceed normal levels, potentially signaling a slowdown in the expected cooling effects. The current winter season also marked a significant low for Arctic sea ice extent, which was down 6 percent from average levels, nearly matching the record low set in January 2018.
The World Meteorological Organization had previously designated 2024 as the warmest year on record, with global mean temperatures averaging 1.55 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 baseline, prior to extensive human-induced climate impacts. Nevertheless, it is essential to clarify that a permanent breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold referenced in the Paris Agreement considers long-term warming spanning a period of 20 to 30 years.
The context of climate change has become increasingly critical, with global temperatures rising due to human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels. The La Nina climate pattern, which usually mitigates temperature increases, evident from cooler Pacific waters, has been largely overwhelmed by persistent global warming trends. With the Earth exceeding the designated 1.5-degree threshold, urgent and sustainable actions are necessary to avert severe climate consequences.
In conclusion, January 2025 recorded unprecedented warmth, challenging previous understandings of La Nina’s impact on global temperatures. Despite the expected cooling influence of La Nina, the consistent rise in global temperatures reflects a concerning trend, necessitating immediate action to address climate change. Analysts and scientists continue to monitor these developments closely, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a focus on sustainable climate practices to curb further warming.
Original Source: www.newsdrum.in
