Asia warming nearly twice global average, hit hard in 2024: WMO

Record Temperature Rise

• 2024 was Asia’s warmest or second warmest year.

• Average temperature was 1.04°C above the 30-year norm (1991–2020).

• Warming rate in Asia is nearly twice the global average.

Extreme Weather Events

• 29 tropical cyclones occurred; Cyclone Yagi was the strongest, causing billions in damage.

• Cyclones Remal, Fengal, Dana, and Asna hit the Indian subcontinent, killing ~140 people.

Heatwaves and Lightning

• Prolonged heatwaves in East and South Asia.

• India faced extreme temperatures (up to 50°C), with 450+ deaths and 1,300 killed by lightning.

Marine Heatwaves

• Marine heatwaves affected ~15 million km², a record.

• Severe in Northern Indian Ocean, Japan, and East China Sea.

Glacier Melting

• 23 of 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia lost mass.

• Urumqi Glacier No. 1 saw its worst loss since 1959.

• Caused by low winter snowfall and intense summer heat.

Rainfall Extremes

• Above-normal rainfall in areas like Arabian Desert, Myanmar, Japan, and Siberia.

• Western Asia saw daily rainfall exceeding annual averages in mid-April.

Climate Impact Warning

• Warming trends are worsening key indicators like temperature, sea level, and glacier mass.

• WMO warns of serious risks to societies, economies, and ecosystems.