Brussels: The month of July 2025 has officially been ranked as the third-warmest July ever recorded, according to data released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). With a global average surface air temperature of 16.68°C, the month was approximately 0.45°C warmer than the July average for the 1991–2020 period and 1.25°C above pre-industrial levels.
Though it did not surpass the record heat of July 2023 and July 2024, this year's July continues the alarming trend of global warming. Scientists also revealed that the 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025 averaged 1.53°C above pre-industrial levels. This figure crosses the crucial 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Among the most severe consequences of this heatwave was a new national temperature record in Turkey, where temperatures soared to an unprecedented 50.5°C. This extreme heat was part of a broader pattern of weather anomalies that included wildfires in southern Europe, floods in parts of Asia, and continued warming of the oceans.
The data also pointed to exceptionally high sea surface temperatures, particularly in the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and off the coasts of Europe. Meanwhile, the Arctic sea ice extent was reported as one of the lowest in nearly five decades, with Antarctic sea ice levels also ranking as the third lowest for the season.
Experts have warned that while the streak of record-breaking months may have paused, the long-term trend of climate change continues. Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S, emphasized that the persistence of high temperatures and climate anomalies signals the ongoing impact of human-induced global warming.
The first half of 2025 has already proven to be among the hottest periods ever observed, with projections suggesting that the year may end as the second or third hottest on record. Climate scientists stress that only urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can prevent further irreversible damage.
The continuing rise in global temperatures and the resulting extreme weather events serve as a stark reminder of the need for immediate and sustained climate action on a global scale.