With El Niño, 2026 could become the second hottest year on record
Furthermore, it is considered “almost certain that the year 2026 will exceed the 1.5°C limit compared to pre-industrial average levels, making it the second calendar year to surpass the ceiling, after 2024,” the observatory adds in its statement.
TL;DR
- 2026 is expected to be the second hottest year on record, with a 20% chance of exceeding 2024.
- It is almost certain that 2026 will surpass the 1.5°C warming limit compared to pre-industrial levels.
- October 2026 was the warmest October on record globally.
- Sea surface temperatures also reached record levels for October.
- The tropical Pacific experienced record sea surface temperature anomalies due to El Niño.