Summary

The average global temperature in 2024 was 1.6°C above preindustrial temperatures and 2025 is off to a very hot start. The speed and acceleration of warming has alarmed and surprised climate scientists. Global targets of 1.5°C and 2°C are quickly moving out of reach.

The data

This visualization displays global (90°S-90°N, 0-360°E) surface air temperature (2-meter height) anomaly estimates from the ECMWF Reanalysis version 5 (ERA5). Anomalies are calculated by comparing annual global average temperatures to the pre-industrial baseline (1850-1900) using adjustment values provided by Copernicus C3S. This plot uses the pre-industrial baseline in order to highlight warming relative to global climate targets.

Citation

Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) (2023): ERA5 monthly mean data on single levels from 1940 to present. Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Climate Data Store (CDS). 10.24381/cds.adbb2d47.