WMO: 2026 Marked by Record Heat and Glacier Melt as Strong El Niño Brings Extreme Weather Into 2027

In brief

• The WMO says global temperatures in 2026 remain near record highs, about 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels from January to September.
• Glaciers keep melting, sea levels are rising and ocean heat content is at record levels.
• A strong El Niño is developing and is expected to bring extreme weather that persists into 2027.
• 2026 is unlikely to beat the 2024 record because a La Niña event cooled early-year temperatures.

Global temperatures stay near record levels

Global average temperature from January to September was about 1.47 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial period, the World Meteorological Organization said (Температурні рекорди та нові катаклізми: як супер-Ель-Ніньйо надзвичайно посилює погодні процеси – TSN) (WMO varuje pred ďalším rekordným rokom. Silný El Niño prinesie extrémne počasie aj v roku 2027 – Aktuality.sk) (Klima se letos vymyká dosavadním měřítkům, varuje WMO – Novinky.cz). The agency released its preliminary report on the state of the global climate on Monday, timed to the opening of the COP31 climate talks in Antalya, Türkiye. It said 2026 is expected to rank among the four warmest years on record.

Glaciers, sea levels and ocean heat

The WMO reports that glaciers continue to melt and that sea levels are rising (El Niňo prinesie ešte väčšie teplo a extrémne prejavy počasia, varujú odborníci – HNonline.sk) (Rok 2026 je poznačený horúčavami a topením ľadovcov. El Niňo spôsobí extrémne prejavy počasia – STVR). Ocean heat content is also at record levels. The sea surface reached its highest level in the satellite record, which began in 1993, during June, July and August of 2026. The last 12 years are the warmest since observations began.

El Niño adds to the heat

The WMO warns that a strong El Niño, now developing, will push global temperatures higher than before and trigger extreme weather events. Its effects are expected to continue into 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the phenomenon, together with the state of the climate in 2026, gives new meaning to the phrase "off the charts". UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the climate is entering a new era of extremes and called on world leaders to cut emissions and move away from fossil fuels.

Why 2026 is not expected to break the record

Despite the heat, 2026 is unlikely to beat the 2024 record. Early in the year, a cooling La Niña event held global temperatures down.