2025 was Earth's third-warmest year as climate impacts intensify

Copernicus data from ECMWF shows 2025 ranked as the third-warmest year on record with a global average surface air temperature of 14.97°C, and the 2023–2025 three‑year mean exceeded the 1.5°C warming threshold relative to pre‑industrial levels.

New data released by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' Copernicus services reports that 2025 was the third-warmest year on record globally. The agency gives the global average surface air temperature for 2025 as 14.97°C. Copernicus also notes that the past 11 years are the warmest on record and that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations have continued to rise over the last decade. The report places particular emphasis on recent years as a distinct period of elevated temperatures. Key facts: - Copernicus reports 2025 ranked third-warmest on record, trailing 2024 and 2023, with a global average surface air temperature of 14.97°C. - For the first time, the 2023–2025 three‑year average exceeded 1.5°C above the 1850–1900 pre‑industrial baseline, and several individual months in 2024–2025 also surpassed that threshold. - Oceans and polar regions showed notable changes: Copernicus recorded the third-highest average sea surface temperature for 2025 between 60°S and 60°N, and Arctic sea ice extent and seasonal snow cover reached record low values in multiple months. Summary: The Copernicus report describes continuing, widespread warming across recent years and highlights persistent increases in greenhouse gases. Climate agencies note natural climate patterns such as La Niña and the possible development of El Niño can temporarily influence global temperatures, so future year-to-year records remain uncertain.