2026 set to rank among four warmest years on record

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts that 2026 will likely be one of the four warmest years recorded. The global average temperature for the year is significantly above pre-industrial levels, with further increases anticipated due to the influence of El Nino. The report highlights that the period from 2023 to 2026 is expected to account for the four hottest years on record. According to the WMO, the global average surface temperature from January to September 2026 was approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. Sea levels have reached unprecedented heights, and ice loss is accelerating. The report warns that these trends could lead to more extreme weather events extending into 2027. The WMO's findings were released during the UN climate conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkiye.