AFP's analysis of Copernicus data shows Central Asia, the Sahel and parts of northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025. Provisional global figures place the past 12 months as the third‑warmest after 2024 and 2023, but regional anomalies were far larger in places such as Tajikistan (more than 3°C above its 1981–2010 average). The review found 120 monthly temperature records broken across more than 70 countries; WWA scientists warn extreme heat events are now nearly 10 times more likely than in 2015.
Heat Across Continents: 2025 Sees Regional Temperature Records in Central Asia, the Sahel and Northern Europe
Globally, the last 12 months are expected to be the third hottest ever recorded after 2024 and 2023 (Sergei GAPON)(Sergei GAPON/AFP/AFP)
AFP analysis of European Copernicus programme data shows that Central Asia, the Sahel and parts of northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025. While the global 12‑month average is provisionally the third‑warmest on record (behind 2024 and 2023), regional extremes were far more pronounced in many places.
The AFP review combined Copernicus outputs with climate models, measurements from roughly 20 satellites and readings from weather stations to fill gaps where national records are incomplete. The dataset covers the globe with hourly resolution back to 1970. Provisional results show that 120 monthly temperature records were broken in more than 70 countries during 2025. Copernicus will publish its formal annual report in early January.
Central Asia: Records Shattered
Every country in Central Asia broke its previous annual temperature record in 2025. Tajikistan experienced the most extreme anomaly, with temperatures more than 3°C above its 1981–2010 seasonal average. Monthly temperature records in Tajikistan were broken each month from May onward except November. Neighbouring Kazakhstan, Iran and Uzbekistan saw anomalies of roughly 2–3°C above seasonal norms.
The Sahel: Up To 1.5°C Warmer
Several Sahel and West African countries recorded unusually high temperatures. Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad logged departures of about 0.7–1.5°C above seasonal averages. For Nigeria, the past 12 months were the hottest on record; the other listed countries ranked among their top four warmest 12‑month periods.
Scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network note that extreme heat events "have become almost 10 times more likely since 2015."
The Sahel — the semi‑arid band stretching from Senegal to Sudan — remains highly vulnerable to heat, compounding existing problems of conflict, food insecurity and poverty.
Europe: An Exceptional, Scorching Summer
About 10 European countries came close to or exceeded their annual temperature records, driven largely by an exceptional summer. Switzerland and several Balkan states experienced summer temperatures 2–3°C above seasonal averages. Spain, Portugal and the UK recorded their worst summers on record, with extreme heat fuelling widespread wildfires. The UK also faced its driest spring in more than a century, contributing to water shortages.
Northern Europe largely avoided the late‑June continental heatwave but endured an unusually warm autumn; the past 12 months are expected to rank among the two warmest on record for Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
What This Means
These regional records underscore that global averages can mask local extremes with severe humanitarian and ecological consequences. Vulnerable regions face heightened risks to health, agriculture, water resources and fire regimes. The provisional findings reinforce calls for stronger adaptation measures and rapid emissions reductions to limit further warming.
Note: Copernicus will confirm these provisional rankings in its annual report due in early January.
