2025 was the world's third-warmest year on record, EU scientists say

EU scientists report 2025 was the planet's third-warmest year and that the three-year average temperature has exceeded 1.5°C above pre‑industrial levels, the first such period on record.

EU climate agencies reported that 2025 was the planet's third-warmest year on record. Data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) showed the last three years were the three hottest since records began. ECMWF also found the three-year average temperature has exceeded 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era, which it described as the first such period. The UK Met Office confirmed its data also ranks 2025 as the third-warmest year and the World Meteorological Organization is due to publish its own figures later. Key findings: - ECMWF data ranks 2025 as the third-warmest year and shows the last three years as the hottest on record, with 2025 about 0.01°C cooler than 2023. - The three-year global average has exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, reported as the first time a multi-year period has done so. - The UK Met Office corroborated the 2025 ranking, and the World Meteorological Organization will publish its temperature figures later. Summary: The findings point to a continued warming trend and note that a three-year average has reached the 1.5°C level for the first time on record. Officials say this has implications for extreme weather patterns, and the World Meteorological Organization's forthcoming figures will provide additional international context.