In May 2025, two major weather agencies—the World Meteorological Organization and the U.K. Met Office—forecast that Earth will face more years of record-breaking heat. These temperatures are expected to push the planet to more severe, deadly, and uncomfortable weather. There is an 80% chance that a new annual heat record will happen in the next five years. Experts also gave an 86% chance that at least one year will go past 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This level was set as a limit by the 2015 Paris Agreement to help avoid dangerous climate effects. A 2°C rise, which is even more alarming, might also be reached before 2030, although that is less likely.

Scientists explained how this warming will affect the world. More extreme events such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and strong storms are expected. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and energy, which increases the risk of these events. According to forecasts from ten global research centers, these risks are no longer rare. Arctic areas may warm 3.5 times faster than the global average, leading to more ice melting and faster sea-level rise. El Niño patterns add temporary heat, but now global temperatures often stay high afterward. Climate scientists warned that “unprecedented” temperatures are becoming normal, and if people are not better protected, more lives will be at risk. These predictions are based on over 200 simulations using modern climate models, making them both reliable and important for planning future safety.