2024 Set to be Hottest Year on Record

12th November 2024

Last modified on November 15th, 2024

There has been exceptionally high monthly global mean temperatures according to the World Meteorological Organization, WMO. Rising temperatures are having a significant impact on snowsports.

The latest news from the WMO paints a gloomy picture, with the planet’s warming temporarily hits 1.5°C

Jan-Sept 2024 global average temperature 1.54 (±0.13) °C above pre-industrial level
Long-term warming measured over decades remains below 1.5°C
Past 10 years are warmest on record and ocean heat rises
Antarctic sea ice second lowest on record and glacier loss accelerates
Extreme weather and climate events lead to massive economic and human losses

The WMO State of the Climate 2024 Update once again issues a Red Alert at the sheer pace of climate change in a single generation, turbo-charged by ever-increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.

2015-2024 will be the warmest ten years on record; the loss of ice from glaciers, sea-level rise and ocean heating are accelerating; and extreme weather is wreaking havoc on communities and economies across the world.

It all has a significant impact on snowsports with glaciers melting and lower level ski resorts being affected:

Cogne, Aosta Valley. Image © PlanetSKI

“Climate catastrophe is hammering health, widening inequalities, harming sustainable development, and rocking the foundations of peace. The vulnerable are hardest hit,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The report was issued on the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

It highlights that the ambitions of the Paris Agreement are in great peril.

“The record-breaking rainfall and flooding, rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, deadly heat, relentless drought and raging wildfires that we have seen in different parts of the world this year are unfortunately our new reality and a foretaste of our future,” said WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo.

“We urgently need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen our monitoring and understanding of our changing climate.

“We need to step up support for climate change adaptation through climate information services and Early Warnings for All,” she added.

Glacier loss is worsening.

Mont Fort glacier, Verbier. Image © PlanetSKI

In 2023, glaciers lost a record 1.2-meter water equivalent of ice – about five times the amount of water in the Dead Sea.

It was the largest loss since measurements began in 1953 and was due to extreme melting in North America and Europe.

In Switzerland, glaciers lost about 10% of their remaining volume in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

WMO has published the State of the Global Climate reports on an annual basis since 1993.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science and meteorology.

WMO monitors weather, climate, and water resources and provides support to its Members in forecasting and disaster mitigation.

The organization is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving public safety and well-being through its work.