June 24, 2025
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.