January 2025 marked a notable milestone in climate history, being hailed as the warmest January ever recorded globally. This revelation comes from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, who indicated the month was 0.79 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average.
While the global landscape seethed with uncharacteristic warmth, Ireland chose to take a different path. Data from Met Éireann revealed that, in contrast to the worldwide trend, Ireland experienced a cooler January, registering 0.45 degrees Celsius below the recent long-term average.
For the Irish, January unfolded as a brisk month punctuated by significant meteorological events. Notably, Storm Éowyn swept through on January 24, delivering fierce winds and havoc, while a dusting of snow graced the land on January 4-5. These weather phenomena starkly illustrated the contrasts within the changing climate narrative.
It’s fascinating to note the perspective of Professor Wiltshire, who described Storm Éowyn as a “once-in-a-lifetime storm.” This rare occurrence, she notes, presents a challenge for climate attribution. “While we can’t definitively say it was caused by climate change, it’s equally impossible to dismiss the potential connection,” she explained thoughtfully. Indeed, the link between global warming and an upsurge in extreme weather events is a topic that warrants consideration.
“Understanding seasonal variances is crucial. The past century has demonstrated remarkable shifts,” Professor Wiltshire emphasized, underscoring the importance of diligent observation. The nuances of climate patterns reveal a tapestry woven with both predictability and uncertainty.
According to Met Éireann, Ireland has seen a temperature increase of 0.7 degrees Celsius and a rise in precipitation of 7% over the past three decades, compared to the 1961-1990 averages. Reflecting on her own lifetime, Professor Wiltshire remarked on the unmistakable changes in Irish weather. “Carbon dioxide levels are now unparalleled in history,” she urged, reflecting the human influence on our natural environment.
A significant contributor to this trend of global warming is human activity—predominantly fossil fuel combustion. Consequently, average global surface temperatures have surged by 1.1 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. To add context, 2024 was not only the warmest year on record but also the first to witness global average temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above those pre-industrial benchmarks.
The data released by Copernicus reveals that the global average surface air temperature for January 2025 stood at 13.23 degrees Celsius—0.79 degrees Celsius higher than the historical norm for that month. Shockingly, this January was elevated by 1.75 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, marking the 18th time in the past 19 months that average global surface temperatures have exceeded that crucial threshold.
Interestingly enough, while most European countries faced temperatures above the 1991-2020 averages, Ireland, along with the United Kingdom, northern France, and Iceland, languished in cooler conditions. Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, expressed surprise at this discrepancy, particularly in light of the ongoing La Niña conditions, which typically induce a temporary cooling effect on global temperatures. “It’s striking that we continue to see record-breaking heat, even against this backdrop,” she noted.
This dichotomy between local and global climates prompts us to reflect: How well can we adapt to these shifting temperatures, both as individuals and communities? Can we reshape our actions in the face of such overwhelming data? As the earth warms, so too does the urgency of our response.
In summary, while January 2025 basked in historical warmth on a global scale, Ireland’s cooler conditions serve as a reminder of the complexities of climate phenomena. The interplay between local weather events and broader climate trends remains a compelling subject for examination. Perhaps it is through these observations that we gather the insights necessary to navigate our rapidly changing environment.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
