wmo Archives - Disasters News

May292025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global temperatures likely to stay near record highs till 2029: WMO warns of 1.5°C breach risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Arctic warming at over three times the global rate; chances of surpassing Paris Agreement threshold reach 86% Global temperatures are expected to hover near record highs over the next five years, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) latest Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, released May 28, 2025. The findings raise serious alarms about the planet approaching irreversible climate thresholds, particularly with the Arctic heating up at more than three times the global average. Near-term warming trends Between 2025 and 2029, the global average near-surface temperature is projected to range between 1.2°C and 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900 baseline). Critically, the WMO report notes an 86% probability that at least one year in this period will b...

Apr162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2024 Turns Europe into Climate Flashpoint Record Heat Melting Glaciers Fiery Summers Alert

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The year 2024 etched itself into Europe’s climate history as the warmest year ever recorded unveiling the growing threat of uneven warming, violent weather swings, and rapid environmental degradation, according to The European State of the Climate 2024 report. A stark east-west climate divide unfolded across the continent scorching dry heat in the east, while the west weathered unusually warm, soggy seasons. Overall, 45% of the year’s days were significantly warmer than average, and 12% were the hottest ever, pushing Europe further into its position as the fastest-warming continent, said Florence Rabier, Director-General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Averaged over five years, Europe's temperature is now 2.4°C above pre-industrial levels a milestone with dire...

Apr42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Four Hurricane Names Retired After Storm Destruction Across Americas WMO Replaces

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially retired four hurricane names from the 2024 season Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John after these powerful storms caused major destruction and loss of life across the Americas. These names will never be used again due to the severe damage they brought to countries like the U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean nations. In their place, new names have been chosen: Brianna, Holly, and Miguel for the Atlantic region, and Jake for the eastern Pacific. Hurricane names are retired when a storm is so deadly or expensive that using the same name again in the future would be disrespectful to victims or confusing to the public. This is part of a global effort to improve public safety and disaster communication. Michael Brennan, Chair of the WMO Hu...

Mar262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

World Meteorological Day Highlights Urgency of Closing Early Warning Gap

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech

Celebrations for World Meteorological Day took place worldwide today, focusing on closing the early warning gap and strengthening resilience against extreme weather. Organized by national weather services, events included a gathering at WMO headquarters in Geneva. Though the official day falls on March 23, global discussions continued into Monday. Progress in Early Warnings for All The UN Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched at COP 28, aims to bring the world’s population under a protective early-warning system by 2027. Now at its halfway point, the initiative has seen major progress: In 2023, 108 countries reported having some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems more than double the 52 countries in 2015. The initiative has saved lives, protected liv...

Mar252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

WMO 2024 Climate Report Warns of Unprecedented Heat Surging Greenhouse Gases and Rising Seas

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The State of the Climate Report 2024 released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) delivers a stark warning: the world is on the verge of surpassing critical climate thresholds, with global temperatures, greenhouse gas concentrations, and sea levels reaching unprecedented levels. According to the report, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) levels are now at their highest in 800,000 years, driving the planet towards dangerous warming. The data suggests that 2024 could be the first full calendar year to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a limit scientists have long warned could trigger catastrophic climate consequences. Oceans at a Boiling Point The relentless accumulation of heat in the world’s oceans has shattered records once again fueli...

Mar212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

2024 Becomes Hottest Year on Record as WMO Warns of Irreversible Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning in its latest report, confirming that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded with global temperatures surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. The findings highlight worsening climate conditions, including rising sea levels, record ocean warming, and extreme weather events leading to widespread displacement and economic losses. According to the report, the global mean temperature in 2024 was 1.55 ± 0.13°C above the 1850-1900 average, marking a devastating milestone in human-induced climate change. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the findings as an “urgent warning sign” rather than a definitive failure of the Paris Agreement goals, emphasizing that every fraction of a degree of w...

Mar202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

CO2 Levels Hit 8,00,000 Year High 2024 Warmest Year on Record

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The State of Climate 2024 report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are now at their highest in the past 8,00,000 years with measurements reaching 420 parts per million in 2023. Alongside CO2, other greenhouse gases like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have also hit record levels intensifying global warming. Temperature Crosses 1.5°C Threshold The WMO’s analysis using six international datasets, found that 2024 became the first year where global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold annually a key limit set by the Paris Agreement. The global mean near-surface temperature was 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels driven by long-term warming and the early-year El Niño effect. Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General said ...

Feb132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNDRR, WMO Launch Global Early Warning System Investment Observatory

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have launched the Global Observatory for Early Warning System (EWS) Investments to improve tracking and coordination of funding for disaster preparedness. This initiative aims to support the UN’s goal of global EWS coverage by 2027, announced by Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022. Early warning systems are critical in saving lives during extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to the climate crisis. However, fragmented financing has limited their global reach. Launched in December 2024, the Observatory provides an overview of funding flows from nine key financing institutions. It identifies gaps, avoids duplication, and ensures investme...

Jan242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UNESCO, WMO Unveil 2025 as Year for Glacier Preservation

Breaking News, Climate Actions

UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP), emphasizing the urgency of addressing glacier retreat and its global implications. The initiative was officially launched on January 21, aiming to protect Earth's "water towers" essential sources of freshwater for over 2 billion people. The declaration follows a UN General Assembly resolution from December 2022, marking March 21 as World Day for Glaciers annually. With glaciers covering 700,000 square kilometers and storing 70% of the world’s freshwater, their rapid melting poses severe threats such as water scarcity, rising sea levels, and ecosystem collapse. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the severity of the crisis "In 2023, glaciers su...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

World Edges Closer to Climate Crisis as 1.5°C Warming Threshold Is Set to Be Surpassed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

Baku, Azerbaijan – The world is on track to mark 2024 as the first full year of 1.5°C global warming above pre-industrial levels, according to data presented at the United Nations’ COP29 climate summit. Recent analyses from Copernicus, Berkeley Earth, and the UK Met Office underscore this troubling milestone, with average temperatures this year setting new records and surpassing last year’s high of 0.6°C above the 1991-2020 average. Despite the recent El Niño event contributing to temperature increases earlier this year, the excessive heat has endured well after its dissipation. This persistence signals a new climate reality, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warning of increasing natural disasters as a direct result of fossil fuel emissions. “Record-breaking rainfall,...