January 2025: Global Warmest, Ireland Colder Than Average

January 2025 marked a significant milestone in global climate trends, with the Copernicus Climate Change Service reporting it as the warmest January on record. Temperatures globally averaged 0.79°C higher than the 1991-2020 baseline, underscoring ongoing climate change.

Global vs. National Trends

While most areas of the world experienced exceptionally warmth, Ireland saw a different pattern. According to Met Éireann, Ireland’s January temperature was 0.45°C below its recent 1991-2020 average. This divergent trend highlights the natural variability in climate patterns across different regions.

Ireland’s Weather Anomalies

January in Ireland was notably cold overall, punctuated by two major weather events. Storm Éowyn, which struck on January 24, and a snowfall event on January 4-5 contributed to the cooler-than-average temperatures. These events were rare, adding to the month’s unique climate profile.

Expert Insights

Professor Karen Wiltshire, chair of climate science at Trinity College Dublin, posited that such variability is expected. “Storm Éowyn was a once-in-a-lifetime storm,” she explained, adding that attributing it directly to climate change is challenging. However, she emphasizes the increased likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events due to global heating.

Long-Term Climate Trends

Met Éireann data shows that Ireland has warmed by 0.7°C over the past 30 years, with precipitation increasing by 7%. This warming trend is part of a larger global phenomenon, characterized by rising carbon dioxide levels that result from human activities like fossil fuel burning.

Climate change’s impact is evident on both global and national scales. According to Copernicus, 2024 was the warmest year globally, and it marked the first time global surface temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

January 2025: International Context

The average global surface air temperature in January 2025 was 13.23°C, 0.79°C above the January average. This temperature is 1.75°C above the pre-industrial baseline. Disturbingly, January 2025 is the 18th month in the past 19 with global-average temperatures surpassing the 1.5°C threshold set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Notably, the persistence of high temperatures in January 2025 contradicts La Nina conditions, which typically have a cooling effect on global temperatures. Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, called the temperature data surprising, given the La Nina development.

Conclusion

January 2025 exemplifies the complexities of global climate change. While most regions experienced record warmth, Ireland’s cooler-than-average temperatures showcase the variability inherent in weather patterns. As climate science continues to evolve, understanding these trends becomes crucial for policymakers, researchers, and the public alike.

As we look forward, continued monitoring and adaptation to these changes will be essential in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Prof Wiltshire’s observation underscores the importance of long-term observations and the pressing need to address the causes of global warming.

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