Record Warmth in January 2025 Amid La Nina Conditions
January 2025 was the warmest January on record according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, with temperatures 0.79 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991-2020 average. This occurred despite La Nina’s presence, which typically cools global climates. The previous year was also noted as the hottest on record, emphasizing a long-term trend of escalating temperatures spurred by human activities.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that January 2025 was the warmest January ever recorded, despite the emergence of cooler La Nina conditions. Average temperatures for the month reached 13.23 degrees Celsius, slightly surpassing 2024’s record by 0.09 degrees Celsius and being 0.79 degrees higher than the average from 1991-2020. This trend follows the hottest year on record, with global temperatures consistently exceeding pre-industrial benchmarks for nearly 19 months.
La Nina, characterized by cooler ocean surface temperatures in the central Pacific, usually results in temporary global cooling effects. This climate pattern impacts global weather, enhancing monsoons in places like India while causing droughts elsewhere. Recent reports show that the past year (February 2024 – January 2025) experienced an anomaly of a 1.61-degree Celsius rise from pre-industrial temperatures, indicating sustained warming despite temporary natural cooling influences.
Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were also notably high, averaging 20.78 degrees Celsius globally in January, marking it as the second hottest January recorded. While La Nina conditions were recorded, eastern Pacific ocean temperatures remained elevated, hinting at possible stalling in the cooler climatic shift. Furthermore, Arctic sea ice extent reached January’s lowest levels, almost equaling the record low from January 2018.
The World Meteorological Organization declared 2024 to be the warmest year, with global mean temperatures averaging 1.55 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 baseline. Although the Paris Agreement sets a long-term cap of 1.5 degrees Celsius, current spikes are alarming, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and action regarding climate change influences.
The article highlights significant climate data from January 2025, as documented by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. It details how global temperatures have consistently risen above pre-industrial levels, particularly in the context of La Nina, which is typically associated with cooler global temperatures. This information is crucial in understanding climate patterns, global warming trends, and their potential impacts on weather events and ecosystems around the world.
In summary, January 2025’s record warmth, despite La Nina conditions, underscores the persistent impact of climate change. Global averages exceeding pre-industrial levels highlight the ongoing warming trend, particularly in the context of the last decade’s rising temperatures. Continued observations are vital for understanding these patterns and mitigating future climate risks.
Original Source: www.newsdrum.in
