Latin America and the Caribbean witnessed record-breaking heat, devastating floods, severe droughts and accelerating glacier retreat in 2025, according to a new report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report warns that rising land and ocean temperatures, worsening water extremes and rapid sea-level rise are increasing risks for millions across the region.
The WMO’s “State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” report highlights how climate change is reshaping weather patterns and threatening food systems, water security, public health and coastal economies.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the signs of climate change are now “unmistakable” across the region, from stronger hurricanes and deadly heatwaves to shrinking glaciers and rising seas.
The report states that 2025 ranked among the warmest years ever recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico recorded an all-time national temperature high of 52.7°C in Mexicali, while temperatures crossed 40°C in several parts of Central and South America. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil reached 44°C, while Paraguay’s Mariscal Estigarribia recorded 44.8°C.
Scientists observed the fastest warming trend in recent decades, with Mexico warming at nearly 0.34°C per decade between 1991 and 2025.
Extreme heat has become a growing public health concern across the region. According to estimates cited in the report, around 13,000 heat-related deaths occur annually across 17 countries, although experts believe the actual number could be significantly higher because many countries still lack proper heat mortality reporting systems.
The report also highlights increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. Some regions are experiencing severe drought while others face repeated flooding and extreme rainfall events.
In 2025, floods in Peru and Ecuador affected more than 110,000 people, while floods in Mexico caused 83 deaths and widespread infrastructure damage. June 2025 became the wettest June ever recorded in Mexico, yet drought conditions simultaneously affected nearly 85% of the country at their peak, creating serious water shortages for agriculture and reservoirs.
The Amazon region is also showing signs of increasing climate instability, with longer dry seasons, stronger wet-season extremes and more frequent droughts in southern and eastern areas.
Another major concern raised in the report is the rapid retreat of Andean glaciers, which act as critical freshwater reserves for nearly 90 million people. These glaciers support drinking water supplies, agriculture, industries and hydroelectric power generation across several South American countries.
Scientists warned that accelerating glacier melt, combined with rising water demand and limited adaptive capacity, could create one of the most severe long-term water security crises in the region.
Ocean conditions are worsening as well. Rising sea surface temperatures, marine heatwaves and increasing ocean acidification are damaging coral reefs, fisheries and marine ecosystems. The report notes that sea levels along Atlantic-facing coasts and parts of the Caribbean are rising faster than the global average.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season also tested disaster preparedness systems across the region. Hurricane Melissa became the first Category 5 hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in Jamaica. The storm caused 45 deaths and economic losses worth nearly 8.8 billion US dollars equivalent to more than 41% of Jamaica’s GDP.
Despite the scale of destruction, the WMO praised Jamaican authorities for using advanced risk modelling and preparedness systems that helped reduce casualties and improve emergency response.
The report stressed that climate information and early warning systems are becoming increasingly important for protecting communities from floods, heatwaves, droughts and tropical cyclones.
Celeste Saulo said climate services are no longer only about scientific data but about helping farmers protect crops, assisting health systems during heat emergencies and preparing coastal communities for rising sea levels.
The WMO called for stronger investment in climate observation systems, disaster preparedness, early warning networks and climate-resilient planning across Latin America and the Caribbean as extreme weather events continue to intensify under global warming.