Tag: WMO

Ocean warming, marine heatwaves and sea-level rise pose increasing risk in South-West Pacific region

Stuart Mitchell

The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2025 report documents how the region had its second warmest year on record (behind 2024), with extreme weather causing widespread disruption, economic damage, and loss of life. The deadliest single event was Cyclone Senyar, the first known system to reach tropical cyclone intensity in the Strait of Malacca, which impacted more than 10 million people in Indonesia and Malaysia and killed more than 1 200. In 2025, the remaining tropical ice cover in Papua, Indonesia, was estimated to be only about 2%…

Read More

New report suggests more global temperature records ahead

Stuart Mitchell

Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, with Arctic temperature anomalies expected to continue to be higher than the global mean, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), produced by the UK’s Met Office. The Global Annual-to-Decadal Update also takes a look at the observed climate over the past five years and gives regional predictions for temperatures and precipitation over the next five years.   Annual global mean near-surface temperatures during 2026–2030 are predicted to range…

Read More

Extreme heat and rainfall, glacier loss and record ocean heat impact Asia in 2025

Stuart Mitchell

Dangerous heat, devastating rainfall and flooding, and severe drought affected millions of people across Asia in 2025, exacting a heavy human and economic toll, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It highlights the urgency and effectiveness of life-saving early warning services to limit the disruption and damage from increasingly extreme weather. Key messages Dangerous heat, devastating floods, severe drought and dust storms affect millions Extreme weather wreaks heavy economic and human cost High Mountain Asian glaciers continue to retreat Ocean heat hits new high, with…

Read More

WMO: Invest in Resilience as Climate Risks Intensify

Stuart Mitchell

The WMO Weather, Climate and Water Intelligence Commons (“WMO Commons”) seeks to mobilize at least 100 million US dollars over 5 years to finance global weather, climate and water monitoring, prediction, and service delivery systems. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo presented the WMO Commons in a keynote speech to a high-level roundtable event with financial, business and government leaders during Climate Week Zurich. She made a compelling investment case for strengthening the weather forecasting and observing network to build resilience to growing climate risks and keep the world protected and prepared. According to Swiss Re,…

Read More

WMO: Prepare for El Niño

Stuart Mitchell

A new WMO El Niño/La Niña Update indicates an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event during June–August 2026. Probabilities for this to continue until at least November are near or above 90%. Although some uncertainty remains about El Niño peak strength and timing, most forecast models suggest it will be at least moderate – and possibly strong. WMO El Niño/Updates are the world’s most authoritative source of information for governments, humanitarian agencies and climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, health, energy and water management. They are based on a consensus of…

Read More