WMO warns 2026 among four hottest years on record

The World Meteorological Organization released its "State of the Global Climate 2026" update during COP31 in Türkiye, held from 9 to 20 November.

The report says the past twelve years are the hottest on record and that 2026 will rank among the four hottest years.

“Extreme weather events affected lives and livelihoods, undermined food security, deepened poverty and caused displacement in many regions.”

From January to September, global average surface temperature stood about 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. El Niño, which intensified from August and is expected to set records through December, is projected to push the figure higher by year-end.

Greenhouse gases trapped heat at unprecedented levels, driving Earth's energy imbalance to its highest point since monitoring began. Oceans absorbed 90 percent of the excess heat, and 2026 is on course to break ocean temperature records for a tenth straight year.

Sea levels reached a record high, while monthly surface temperature records fell throughout 2026. Long-term glacier retreat continued, with 2025 ice loss equivalent to filling five Olympic swimming pools every second.

Heatwaves, drought and wildfires in Europe caused more than 30,000 deaths, according to preliminary estimates. Extreme weather also harmed food security, deepened poverty and displaced people.