Global temperatures in 2025 stayed below the extreme levels of 2024, driven by cooling from the La Niña weather pattern. New data from the European Copernicus climate service and the Met Office confirms this trend. Even so, the past three years rank as the warmest ever recorded worldwide. This development pushes the planet closer to breaking international climate targets. Scientists stress that temporary cooling does not reverse long-term warming driven by human activity.
La Niña cooled the planet but long-term warming continued
Despite La Niña’s cooling influence, temperatures in 2025 remained far higher than a decade ago. Ongoing carbon emissions from human activities continued to trap heat in the atmosphere. Scientists say this process guarantees future temperature records unless emissions fall sharply. Weather extremes will also intensify under continued warming pressure.
“If we look back from twenty years ahead, we will see the mid-2020s as relatively cool,” said Dr Samantha Burgess from Copernicus.
Global temperatures remain far above pre-industrial levels
Data from Copernicus and the Met Office shows 2025 temperatures exceeded pre-industrial levels by more than 1.4C. Scientists define pre-industrial conditions as the late 1800s, before large-scale fossil fuel use. Climate groups calculate slightly different figures due to varying baselines. However, experts agree completely on the long-term warming trend.
“We know greenhouse gases accumulate and force the planet to warm,” said Prof Rowan Sutton of the Met Office Hadley Centre.
Extreme weather continued despite slightly lower global heat
Although 2025 did not set a new global heat record, extreme weather events persisted. Scientists linked several disasters to climate change influences. Wildfires in Los Angeles during January and Hurricane Melissa in October highlighted ongoing risks. Researchers found climate change likely intensified both events.
The world edges closer to the 1.5C climate threshold
Sustained warmth moves the planet nearer to breaching the 1.5C warming limit. Nearly 200 countries agreed on this target in 2015 to avoid severe climate impacts. Scientists warn that warming beyond 2C would trigger far more damaging consequences.
“Recent data suggests we will exceed 1.5C by decade’s end,” said Burgess.
Natural climate cycles still affect individual years
Human activity drives long-term warming, but natural variability shapes year-to-year changes. El Niño and La Niña cycles play a major role in global temperature shifts. These patterns begin in the Pacific but influence climates worldwide. El Niño years usually raise global temperatures, while La Niña years lower them slightly.
El Niño boosted temperatures in 2023 and drove record heat in 2024. La Niña returned in 2025 and suppressed some warming. However, scientists remain concerned by the continued high temperatures.
Scientists express concern over persistent global heat
“The sustained heat during a La Niña year worries us,” said Dr Zeke Hausfather of Berkeley Earth. The past three years shattered monthly temperature records by wide margins. Copernicus data shows new records for every month since 2023.
The sharp temperature rise in 2023 surprised many scientists. Researchers explored additional causes beyond emissions and El Niño. Possible factors include cloud changes and reduced aerosol reflection of sunlight.
Climate mysteries remain but risks are clear
The ongoing warmth into 2025 suggests unresolved climate questions, Hausfather said. Sutton agreed that observed warming sits near the upper end of expectations. He cautioned that scientists need more data before drawing firm long-term conclusions.
Despite future record risks, scientists stress that outcomes remain adjustable. “We can strongly influence what happens,” Sutton said. Emission cuts can stabilise warming, while adaptation can strengthen resilience against ongoing climate change.
