Geneva: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued its latest Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2025-2029, forecasting a significant rise in global temperatures.
The report indicates an 80% probability that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the current record year 2024. It anticipates global temperatures to range between 1.2°C and 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels for each year in this period.
Furthermore, there is a 70% likelihood that the average warming over the five years will exceed 1.5°C, marking an increase from previous forecasts—47% for 2024-2028 and 32% for 2023-2027. This escalation in temperature poses increased risks, including the intensification of heatwaves, extreme rainfall, droughts, melting ice sheets and glaciers, ocean warming, and rising sea levels.
The WMO's update also highlights regional climate trends, noting that South Asia has experienced unusually wet conditions in recent years, except in 2023, a pattern expected to persist through 2029.
As stated by the WMO, "The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update projects global temperatures to remain at or near record highs over the next five years, exacerbating climate risks and impacting societies, economies, and sustainable development worldwide."
This comprehensive forecast is part of the WMO's annual synthesis of global climate predictions, compiled from various WMO-affiliated Global Producing Centres and contributors.