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July 2025 was recorded as the third hottest July in 176 years of measurements, with a global land and ocean surface temperature 1.00 °C (1.80 °F) above the 20th-century average.
Only July 2024 and July 2023 were warmer, highlighted a note published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States (NOAA).
Additionally, the period from January to July 2025 is already the second warmest on record, falling just 0.10 °C below the record set in the first seven months of 2024.
NOAA forecasts a high probability that 2025 will end up among the five warmest years on record, although it is unlikely to be the hottest.
Extreme heat was widespread: temperatures exceeding 1 °C were recorded in parts of Europe, Asia, North Africa, the North Pacific, North America, South America, and areas of Antarctica.
Europe and Asia experienced their fourth hottest July; the Arctic, Africa, and the Caribbean ranked between seventh and ninth in their respective records.
In contrast, Antarctica experienced slightly below-average temperatures, marking its coldest July since 2016.
Other climate indicators also recorded concerning figures. The global sea ice extent was the third lowest for a July since 1979, with significant losses in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere was the fifteenth lowest, with a deficit of 120,000 square miles in Eurasia, the weather agency emphasized.
Regarding rainfall, drier-than-normal conditions were observed in Alaska, parts of Canada, southern Mexico, and much of the western and southeastern United States, as well as in Scandinavia, southern Europe, and areas of Asia.
On the contrary, it rained more than usual in the eastern United States, northern Mexico, central Europe, and parts of East Asia.
The activity of tropical cyclones exceeded the global average in July, with 14 named storms.
The western Pacific recorded eight systems—double its average—equaling the historical monthly record for that basin.
The data confirms that climate change continues to intensify extreme patterns of temperature, ice, snow, and rainfall across the planet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Extreme Heat and Climate Change in 2025
Why was July 2025 one of the hottest months in history?
July 2025 was recorded as the third hottest July due to a global land and ocean surface temperature that was 1.00 °C above the 20th-century average. This phenomenon is part of an ongoing pattern of climate change that intensifies extreme temperature events around the world.
Which regions experienced extreme temperatures in July 2025?
In July 2025, temperatures exceeding 1 °C above average were recorded in parts of Europe, Asia, North Africa, the North Pacific, North America, South America, and areas of Antarctica. However, Antarctica experienced slightly below-average temperatures, marking its coldest July since 2016.
How did the extreme heat affect other weather conditions in July 2025?
Extreme heat in July 2025 also affected other climate indicators, such as global sea ice extent, which was the third lowest for a July since 1979. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere was the fifteenth lowest, and tropical cyclone activity exceeded the global average.
What impact does climate change have on the hurricane season of 2025?
Climate change is intensifying extreme temperature patterns and weather phenomena such as hurricanes. By 2025, an above-average hurricane season is anticipated, with an increase in the number and intensity of storms due to warmer Atlantic and Caribbean ocean temperatures.
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