World Meteorological Organization Reports Record Climate Extremes During 2026
A powerful El Niño event is driving record-breaking global temperatures and ocean heat, intensifying climate risks worldwide.
The year 2026 has continued a trend of exceptional global temperatures, rising sea levels, and melting ice, according to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Released at the start of the COP31 conference in Antalya, Türkiye, the findings indicate that the past four years are the warmest on record, with 2026 surface temperatures averaging 1.47 °Celsius above pre-industrial levels through September.
A developing El Niño event, which began intensifying in August, is expected to further increase global temperatures through the end of the year and into 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the current climate state as being off the charts, noting that the El Niño is releasing record amounts of heat stored in the oceans. The ocean, which absorbs 90% of excess heat, is on track for its tenth consecutive year of record warmth.
The report highlights that the Earth's energy imbalance has reached its highest level since monitoring began, as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise. In 2025, atmospheric carbon dioxide reached 426.8 parts per million, a 53% increase since 1750. This accumulation of heat is accelerating the retreat of glaciers, which lost over 400 gigatons of ice in 2025, and contributing to record-high sea levels.
Extreme weather events in 2026 have caused significant human and economic impacts. Heatwaves in Europe were linked to over 30,000 excess deaths, while a major heatwave in India exposed 146.5 million people to extreme temperatures in April. Additionally, a glacier collapse in the Himalayas caused flash floods in Nepal that resulted in more than 1,300 deaths. The World Health Organization has classified the anticipated health impacts of the current El Niño as a health emergency.
Despite these challenges, the WMO noted progress in disaster preparedness, with the number of countries reporting multi-hazard early warning systems increasing from 56 in 2015 to 136 in 2025. A final version of the 2026 climate report, incorporating data from the remainder of the year, is scheduled for release in March 2027.
