Global Temperatures Forecast Near Record Levels
The UN weather agency and UK’s Met Office report predicts that global mean near-surface temperatures will reach near-record levels over the next five years. The annual report provides regional predictions for temperatures and rain, forecasting a range of 1.3°C to 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels.
Climate Warming Continues
Melissa Seabrook, a research scientist at UK Met Office, stated that there is clear evidence of the climate warming and global average temperature continuing to rise. In the 2015 Paris Agreement, governments pledged to prevent the average global temperature from exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Record-Breaking Year Expected
The report suggests it’s likely that the global mean near-surface temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average levels for at least one year between 2026 and 2030. It also predicts that this period will see an even warmer year, surpassing the warmest on record in 2024.
Arctic Temperatures Rise Faster
The Arctic region is expected to experience temperatures warming faster than other areas, with winter temperatures rising more than 3-1/2 times the global average over the next five years. This could lead to disruptions in weather systems and increased severity of events, particularly in northern regions.
El Nino Expected to Drive Up Global Temperatures
A strong El Nino is predicted for this year, persisting into 2027. This periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean could drive global temperatures to record-breaking levels due to the heating of the Pacific Ocean.