Preliminary data show that Central Asia, Africa’s Sahel region, and Northern Europe all experienced their hottest year on record in 2025. Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, following 2024 and 2023.

Agence France-Presse (AFP), analyzing climate monitoring data from the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, published this conclusion on Wednesday (December 31). Copernicus is expected to confirm these figures in its annual report to be released in January.

Although the global average temperature—covering both land and ocean—was not the highest ever recorded in 2025, this overall average masks numerous regional temperature records set during the year.

AFP conducted an independent analysis of climate model data compiled by Copernicus from approximately 20 satellites and ground-based monitoring stations worldwide, covering hourly temperature records since 1970. The detailed analysis found that, based on monthly temperature records, more than 120 months across over 70 countries globally broke heat records in 2025.

The analysis showed that all five Central Asian countries broke their national annual temperature records. Tajikistan recorded the largest positive anomaly globally in 2025, with temperatures averaging 3°C above the 1981–2010 baseline. Every month from May onward—except November—set new monthly temperature highs in Tajikistan. Neighboring Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran also saw temperatures 2–3°C above their historical averages in 2025.

In the Sahel—the region south of the Sahara Desert—and parts of West Africa, extreme heat also prevailed. Countries including Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Chad recorded temperatures 0.7–1.5°C above their long-term averages, with Nigeria setting a new national high-temperature record.

On Monday (December 29), the World Weather Attribution initiative released its annual report stating that since 2015, the likelihood of extreme heat events has increased nearly tenfold. It noted that many areas of the Sahel, already grappling with prolonged armed conflict, food insecurity, and extreme poverty, are among the regions most vulnerable to the threats posed by extreme temperatures.

Europe Endured Scorching Summer in 2025, with Many Countries Nearly Breaking Records

In Europe, around 10 countries experienced an exceptionally hot summer in 2025, with annual temperatures nearly reaching record highs. Switzerland and countries across the Balkans saw summer temperatures 2–3°C above average.

Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom recorded their hottest summers on record, conditions that fueled massive wildfires. The UK also experienced its driest spring in over a century, leading to water shortages.

Although Northern Europe avoided the June heatwave that swept across much of the continent, it later endured an unusually warm autumn. Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland all ranked 2025 as one of their two hottest years on record.

Preliminary data show that Central Asia, Africa’s Sahel region, and Northern Europe all experienced their hottest year on record in 2025. Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, following 2024 and 2023.

Agence France-Presse (AFP), analyzing climate monitoring data from the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, published this conclusion on Wednesday (December 31). Copernicus is expected to confirm these figures in its annual report to be released in January.

Although the global average temperature—covering both land and ocean—was not the highest ever recorded in 2025, this overall average masks numerous regional temperature records set during the year.

AFP conducted an independent analysis of climate model data compiled by Copernicus from approximately 20 satellites and ground-based monitoring stations worldwide, covering hourly temperature records since 1970. The detailed analysis found that, based on monthly temperature records, more than 120 months across over 70 countries globally broke heat records in 2025.

The analysis showed that all five Central Asian countries broke their national annual temperature records. Tajikistan recorded the largest positive anomaly globally in 2025, with temperatures averaging 3°C above the 1981–2010 baseline. Every month from May onward—except November—set new monthly temperature highs in Tajikistan. Neighboring Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran also saw temperatures 2–3°C above their historical averages in 2025.

In the Sahel—the region south of the Sahara Desert—and parts of West Africa, extreme heat also prevailed. Countries including Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Chad recorded temperatures 0.7–1.5°C above their long-term averages, with Nigeria setting a new national high-temperature record.

On Monday (December 29), the World Weather Attribution initiative released its annual report stating that since 2015, the likelihood of extreme heat events has increased nearly tenfold. It noted that many areas of the Sahel, already grappling with prolonged armed conflict, food insecurity, and extreme poverty, are among the regions most vulnerable to the threats posed by extreme temperatures.

Europe Endured Scorching Summer in 2025, with Many Countries Nearly Breaking Records

In Europe, around 10 countries experienced an exceptionally hot summer in 2025, with annual temperatures nearly reaching record highs. Switzerland and countries across the Balkans saw summer temperatures 2–3°C above average.

Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom recorded their hottest summers on record, conditions that fueled massive wildfires. The UK also experienced its driest spring in over a century, leading to water shortages.

Although Northern Europe avoided the June heatwave that swept across much of the continent, it later endured an unusually warm autumn. Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland all ranked 2025 as one of their two hottest years on record.