LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The United Nations (UN) has warned that global temperatures are expected to remain at or near record-breaking levels over the next five years.
According to a new report released on Thursday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is a strong possibility that another hottest year in history could occur before 2031.
Raising fresh concerns, the latest climate outlook, produced by the WMO alongside Britain’s Met Office combined predictions from 13 international scientific institutes.
The warning comes at a time when several parts of Europe are already battling extreme heat conditions, with Britain and France recently recording unusually high temperatures for May due to a powerful “heat dome.”
The WMO revealed that the 11 hottest years ever recorded have all happened since 2015, showing a worrying rise in global temperatures.
“Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years It is likely (86 percent chance) that one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record,” the agency stated.
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Scientists also warned that the chances of crossing the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit are increasing rapidly.
The report maintains there is a 75 percent chance that the average global temperature between 2026 and 2030 will rise above 1.5°C compared to the 1850-1900 pre-industrial era.
The agency further explained that there is a 91 percent chance that at least one year within that period will temporarily cross the 1.5°C threshold.
Meanwhile, experts believe the return of El Nino later in 2026 could push temperatures even higher.
The lead author of the WMO’s Global Annual-to-Decadal Update, Leon Hermanson stated, “There is an El Nino predicted for the end of 2026, which increases the chances of the following year, 2027, being the next record-breaking year.”
The last El Nino played a major role in making 2023 the second-hottest year ever recorded, while 2024 became the hottest year in history at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
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El Nino is a natural climate pattern that warms ocean surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean, often affecting global rainfall, wind systems, and weather conditions.
The report also noted that Arctic temperatures during the next five northern hemisphere winters are expected to rise far above average levels, while regions such as the Amazon may experience drier conditions.
In contrast, wetter weather patterns are expected in parts of northern Europe, the Sahel region, Alaska, and Siberia.
Although scientists revealed it remains highly unlikely for temperatures to exceed 2°C in a single year before 2030, they warned that temporary breaches of the 1.5°C mark are becoming more frequent.
Growing fears over rising temperatures have continued to increase pressure on world leaders to strengthen climate action, reduce carbon emissions, and prevent further damage linked to global warming.
