Copernicus, Europe's climate agency, confirms 2024 as the warmest year on record, exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Human-induced climate change and El Niño contribute to the record heat, leading to increased water vapor, extreme rainfall, and record-high sea surface temperatures. These extreme conditions exacerbate weather events, impacting human societies and natural ecosystems.
2024 was Earth’s warmest year on record, according to Copernicus – Europe’s climate agency. Even though the confirmation only came today, the scale of last year’s perpetual global warmth meant that climate scientists were virtually certain in the autumn that 2024 would be a record breaker. The global average temperature was 1.6C above pre-industrial levels, making it the first calendar year where 1.5C has been surpassed.
The primary cause of the warmth is human-induced climate change – fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions. El Niño, the naturally occurring warming cycle of the Pacific Ocean, also played a small part.In 2024, the total amount of water vapour in the atmosphere reached a record value, at about 5% above the 1991–2020 average, surpassing the previous record set in 2016. As Earth’s atmosphere warms, it is able to hold more moisture – roughly 7% more for each 1C rise in temperature. More moisture in Earth’s atmosphere increases the potential for extreme rainfall events to deliver even greater amounts of rain, which in turn can worsen flooding.It wasn’t just the atmosphere that saw record warmth, with sea surface temperatures (SST) significantly above average over the extra-polar ocean. The extra-polar ocean is the area of our planet’s oceans which lies between 60ºN and 60ºS – basically the oceans outside of the northern and southern polar regions. The SST in this region were at record levels for the time of year from January to June 2024, and the second warmest on record from July to December. High ocean temperatures not only affect marine life, but also weather patterns – for example, making more energy available for hurricanes and typhoons to intensify quicker and become stronger.It’s long been known, and proven, that a warming climate has a huge influence on our weather, making it even more extreme. Worsening floods, droughts, storms and extreme heat are affecting millions of people around the world – especially in developing countries. Natural habitats and animal species are being damaged or even destroyed – unable to cope with the pressure that new extremes of weather are placing upon them.As 2025 begins, the predictions don’t bode well for the months ahead. According to the Met Office, this year is expected to be one of the three warmest on record globally, probably falling just behind 2024 and 2023. With an increasingly warm planet becoming the new norm, it’s inevitable that the extremes of weather we’ve seen in recent years will likely be repeated to an equal, if not greater, degree
Climate Change Global Warming Record Temperatures Extreme Weather El Nino
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2024: Fourth Hottest Year on Record for UK Despite Arctic BlastThe Met Office reveals that 2024 was the fourth hottest year on record for the UK, despite the current arctic weather conditions. Eight months saw temperatures above average, including record-breaking highs in May, February, and December.
Read more »
2024: UK's Fourth Hottest Year on Record Despite Arctic BlastThe Met Office reveals that 2024 was the fourth hottest year on record for the UK, with an average temperature of 9.78°C. This data contradicts the current cold snap Britain is experiencing.
Read more »
Golfing Year 2024: A Year of Triumphs and TurmoilThe 2024 golfing year was marked by both significant achievements and concerning trends. While American golfers dominated the men's majors, and Nelly Korda reigned supreme on the women's tour, the sport grappled with political instability and a growing influence of greed.
Read more »
PGA Tour Player of Year 2024: Scottie Scheffler beats Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele to win awardScottie Scheffler has been voted PGA Tour Player of the Year for a third consecutive season as he comfortably saw off Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.
Read more »
When you should order prescriptions by as Christmas 2024 and New Year approachesThis is the date people in Greater Manchester should order their prescriptions by
Read more »
Christmas TV guide 2024: All the documentaries to watch this yearGordon Buchanan traverses the Gobi Desert with two camels, the BBC goes behind-the-scenes of the last Gavin & Stacey and Dr Chris van Tulleken delivers the Royal Institution lectures
Read more »