WMO report says 2015-2025 were the hottest 11 years on record

Key findings

The World Meteorological Organization’s *State of the Global Climate 2025* report says that 2015 to 2025 were the 11 hottest years on record. It says 2025 was the second or third hottest year ever recorded, at about 1.43°C above the 1850-1900 average.

The report says extreme events around the world, including intense heat, heavy rainfall and tropical cyclones, caused disruption and devastation. It says these events highlighted the vulnerability of interconnected economies and societies.

For the first time, the report includes Earth’s energy imbalance as one of the key climate indicators. It says the imbalance is the highest in a 65-year record.

Oceans, ice and glaciers

The report says the ocean continues to warm and absorb carbon dioxide. It says the ocean has absorbed the equivalent of about 18 times annual human energy use each year for the past two decades.

According to the report, annual Arctic sea ice extent was at or near a record low in 2025. Antarctic sea ice extent was the third lowest on record, and glacier melt continued unabated.

These indicators are presented alongside the report’s broader warning that climate swings are becoming increasingly out of balance.

Report release

The publication was released on 23 March 2026 as part of the *State of the Global Climate 2025* series.

The report was accompanied by related materials including a full report, a press release, and an extreme weather supplement.