March 2025 marked Europeâs hottest March on record and the second-hottest March globally, according to new data from Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The average temperature across European land reached 6.03°C, which is 2.41°C above the average for March from 1991-2020.
This alarming data underscores the ongoing trend of record-breaking temperatures. Samantha Burgess from Copernicus highlighted that the month also exhibited contrasting rainfall extremes; some areas faced their driest March on record while others experienced their wettest March in at least 47 years.
Globally, the average surface air temperature was 14.06°C, 0.65°C above the 1991-2020 average and 1.60°C above pre-industrial levels, marking 20 out of the last 21 months with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a critical threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
Regional Weather Variations in March 2025
Weather conditions varied significantly across Europe:
- Eastern Europe and southwest Russia experienced unusually warm temperatures.
- The Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal, faced colder-than-average temperatures and was impacted by storms and flooding.
- Most of southern Europe, along with Norway and parts of Iceland, reported wetter-than-average conditions, while the UK and Ireland saw drier weather.
Climate Concerns and Calls for Accountability
Climate activists are attributing these unusual patterns to the actions of oil and gas companies and the governments that support their expansion. Greenpeace UK's Rebecca Newsom warned that as early spring weather resembles summer, Europe may face more intense heatwaves and wildfires in the coming months.
The contrasting rainfall extremes pose immediate threats to food systems and the economy, prompting calls for oil and gas corporations like Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, and ENI to be held accountable through new taxes to aid communities affected by climate disasters.
Furthermore, the report indicates a troubling trend in the Arctic, where sea ice levels reached their lowest for March in the 47-year satellite record, at 6 percent below average. This year has already seen record lows for sea ice coverage during this time of year, marking significant environmental concerns for the future.
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