Search Climate Insights Directory

In February 2025, U.S. temperature anomalies were split, with 92 cities warmer and 99 cooler than the 1991-2020 normal. Despite an average anomaly of -0.3°F and significant cold in the Northern Rockies and Plains, no city set a low temperature record for the month. Conversely, Phoenix, Arizona, recorded its hottest February on record. Analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) indicates that temperatures in many cities remained warmer than they would have been without climate change, as more cities experienced days with positive than negative CSI values. Long-term trends show that 189 out of 191 analyzed stations have warmed since 1970, with Juneau, Alaska, being the fastest-warming station for February.

Analysis of U.K. Met Office data from 1970-2024 shows that spring is the fastest-warming season for the U.K. as a whole, all four constituent nations, and all six climate districts in England. While all seasons have warmed by at least 1°C across the four nations, spring temperatures for the U.K. overall increased by 1.8°C, with England experiencing the highest increase at 2°C. This warming contributes to ecological mismatches, such as flowers blooming up to a month earlier, and increases risks to agriculture and human health.

Climate Central's analysis of 241 U.S. cities shows that 97% experienced an increase in average spring temperatures between 1970 and 2024, with an average rise of 2.4°F. The Southwest saw the most significant warming, and 80% of analyzed locations now experience at least one additional week of warmer-than-normal spring days. These trends are linked to global warming and contribute to increased wildfire risk, prolonged allergy seasons, and stressed water supplies in the western U.S.

In February 2025, Brazil experienced a record heatwave where temperatures reached up to 44°C, affecting over 170 million people. The event, linked to climate change, caused significant public health strain in Rio de Janeiro, water shortages in favelas, and school delays in Rio Grande do Sul.

Analysis of 232 U.S. cities shows that 91% have experienced a long-term decrease in freezing nights since 1970, with an average reduction of 15 nights. This trend is most pronounced in the West, Northeast, and Southwest, and is attributed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels. While fewer freezing nights may reduce acute cold-exposure risks and home heating costs, the trend threatens snow-fed water supplies, winter recreation economies, and fruit crop yields that require winter chill, while potentially expanding the range of disease-carrying pests.

Climate Central analysis shows that human-caused climate change significantly increased the number of days with maximum temperatures exceeding 90°F in West Africa's cocoa belt from 2015 to 2024. The most severe impacts occurred in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, where climate change added approximately 40 days of growth-limiting heat per year. These temperature extremes, combined with shifting rainfall patterns and pests, threaten global cocoa supplies, increase chocolate prices, and endanger the health and livelihoods of small-scale farmers.

Climate change has significantly increased the number of days with temperatures above 32°C in West Africa's cocoa belt, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. This excessive heat, especially during the main crop cycle (October-March), can reduce cacao harvest quantity and quality by hindering photosynthesis and increasing water stress. In 2024, 71% of analyzed cacao-producing areas across Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria experienced at least six additional weeks of such heat. Beyond temperature, production is threatened by erratic rainfall, the cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV), smuggling, and illegal mining.

Analysis of 30 NFL home cities from 1970 to 2024 shows that all have warmed during the regular season (September to December), with an average increase of 2.8°F. Las Vegas and Minneapolis experienced the highest warming, while the 30 cities now face an average of 14 more extremely hot days than in 1970, increasing risks for athletes during summer training.

A marine heatwave has affected the west coast of Australia since September 2024, with over 60% of the analyzed region meeting heatwave criteria by early January 2025. The most affected area is off the northwest coast, where temperature anomalies exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius and some locations remained in a heatwave state for over 120 days. Analysis using the Ocean Climate Shift Index indicates that climate change made these daily ocean surface temperatures at least 20 times more likely on average, with likelihood increasing over 100 times during late November.

The document highlights the 2025 International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, detailing how human-caused climate change is accelerating glacial melt. It emphasizes the role of glaciers as 'water towers' providing freshwater for billions and warns of increasing risks from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), particularly in Asia and the Americas. The text notes that glaciers in 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites are losing an average of 58 billion tonnes of ice annually, with a third projected to vanish within 25 years.

Climate Central analyzed 245 U.S. locations and found that winter is the fastest-warming season for 76% of these sites, particularly in the Northeast, Southeast, and Ohio Valley. In the western U.S., fall and spring were the fastest-warming seasons for 31 locations, while some West and Northwest areas experienced the most rapid summer warming. These trends contribute to disrupted snowfall, earlier snowmelt, increased wildfire intensity, and longer pest and allergy seasons.

In December 2024, 166 out of 191 analyzed U.S. cities were warmer than normal, with the most significant anomalies occurring in Montana. While long-term warming trends are evident—with 189 of 191 stations showing positive trends since 1970—daily climate attribution via the Climate Shift Index (CSI) remained generally low, though specific cities in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska saw several days where temperatures were significantly more likely due to climate change.

The document describes the intersection of a pediatric mental health emergency and the intensifying impacts of climate change. It details how displacement, extreme heat, air pollution, and the loss of natural spaces contribute to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in youth. It highlights the prevalence of 'eco-anxiety' and the role of adverse childhood experiences in worsening health outcomes. The text provides guidance for caregivers to support children through communication, stability, and collective action, while advocating for rapid carbon pollution cuts to protect future generations.

In January 2025, 166 out of 191 analyzed U.S. cities were cooler than normal, with the Ohio Valley and Southeast particularly affected. Despite these cool anomalies, no city set a low temperature record for January, and the warming influence of climate change remained pronounced. Alaska was the warmest state, with Fairbanks recording the highest anomaly at 14.6°F above normal. Analysis using the Climate Shift Index (CSI) showed that days where warmer temperatures were made at least twice as likely by climate change outnumbered days where cooler temperatures were made twice as rare.

Analysis by Climate Central shows that all 50 U.S. states and 99% of 242 analyzed major cities have warmed since 1970. Alaska was the fastest-warming state, while Reno, Nevada, experienced the highest city-level temperature increase. The document links these trends to rising greenhouse gas concentrations, which reached 427 ppm of CO2 in 2025, and advocates for the transition to zero-emission vehicles, solar and wind power, and heat pumps to mitigate future risks.

The document examines how rising temperatures increase the speed and frequency of thunderstorm straight-line winds, particularly in the central U.S., and projects an increase in the occurrence of large-scale derecho events.

The report finds that global warming of 0.3°C since 2015 has already increased the annual average of hot days by 11 per country. While current emissions pledges have reduced projected warming from 4°C to 2.6°C, the latter would still result in an average of 57 additional hot days per year compared to today. Case studies of six major heat events show that some would have been nearly impossible without climate change, and all have increased in intensity and likelihood. The document argues that while heat early warning systems have expanded, adaptation finance and systemic urban and labor reforms are insufficient to meet the escalating risks.

Climate Central's Ocean CSI analysis indicates that Cyclone Chido intensified over waters made significantly warmer by human-caused climate change, with some temperature spikes being up to 92 times more likely due to global warming.

The document reports that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. In the U.S., 24 billion-dollar disasters occurred through November 2024, resulting in at least 418 deaths and $61 billion in damages, excluding the costs of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The analysis highlights a shrinking interval between such disasters, falling to an average of 12 days in 2024 compared to 82 days in the early 1980s.

The report finds that climate change is significantly increasing the number of 'lost winter days' (days above freezing) across Canada, with some regions seeing an additional week of such days annually. The analysis highlights specific impacts in provinces like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, and major cities including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, noting consequences for snow accumulation, ice coverage, and winter industries.