Asia warming faster than global average as climate risks intensify, WMO report finds

Asia experienced one of its warmest years on record in 2025, with rising temperatures, accelerating glacier loss, record ocean heat and increasingly severe weather extremes highlighting the growing impacts of climate change across the region, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The State of the Climate in Asia 2025 report finds that the mean temperature across Asia was 0.96°C above the 1991–2020 average, making 2025 between the second and fourth warmest year on record for the region. The report also notes that Asia has warmed faster than the global average in recent decades, with the warming trend during 1991–2025 approximately twice that observed during 1961–1990.

“Asia is impacted by rising temperatures, warming ocean waters, higher sea levels and retreating glaciers,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “Heavy rainfall, flooding and drought have a heavy economic and human cost, while extreme heat, dust storms and glacial flooding are becoming major hazards. This report highlights the importance of observations, early warning systems and impact-based forecasting to adapt to our changing climate.”

The report paints a picture of a region facing increasingly complex climate risks across land, mountains and oceans.

While temperatures across most of Asia remained above average, the strongest positive anomalies were recorded across north-western parts of the continent and in a broad belt stretching from western China to Japan. In contrast, cooler-than-average conditions prevailed across parts of South Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.

Extreme rainfall and drought

Precipitation patterns varied widely across the region during 2025.

Most of southern Asia received above-average rainfall, with the Indian monsoon bringing exceptionally heavy precipitation. Above-average rainfall was also recorded across much of South-East Asia and parts of East Asia.

At the same time, below-average rainfall and prolonged dry conditions were observed across West and Central Asia. Long-term drought conditions contributed to water shortages in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The human and economic impacts of extreme weather were significant. In Pakistan, monsoon flooding was associated with more than 1,000 deaths and left over 3 million people requiring assistance. In Viet Nam, prolonged flooding linked to multiple weather systems resulted in at least 200 deaths and economic losses estimated at US$1.9 billion.

Glaciers continue to shrink

The report highlights mounting concerns in High-Mountain Asia, often referred to as the world's “Third Pole” because of its vast stores of ice.

All 23 monitored glaciers in the region lost mass during the 2025 glaciological year. Below-average winter snowfall combined with persistently above-average temperatures drove substantial glacier retreat across many mountain ranges.

Multiple glacial lake outburst floods and glacier collapse events were recorded during the year, underlining growing risks for mountain communities and downstream populations that depend on glacier-fed rivers for water, agriculture and energy.

Oceans reach new extremes

Asia's oceans continued to absorb the effects of a warming climate.

Ocean heat content reached a new record in 2025, continuing a long-term upward trend observed since the 1990s. Record subsurface ocean warming was concentrated in parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, central equatorial Indian Ocean and North Pacific.

Marine heatwaves affected almost the entire ocean area of Asia during the year. Between July and September, more than 10 million square kilometres of ocean experienced marine heatwave conditions, among the highest levels observed since records began in 1993.

Sea levels across Asia also reached their highest level since satellite records began in 1999. Across much of the northern Indian Ocean, sea-level rise continued at rates significantly higher than the global average. Along the coasts of the Indian subcontinent, sea levels rose at an average rate of 4.9 millimetres per year during 1999–2025, compared with the global mean rate of around 3.6 millimetres per year.

The report also notes continuing ocean acidification, with record low surface pH levels observed in parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and tropical Indian Ocean during 2025.

Early warnings save lives

The report highlights the growing importance of early warning systems and preparedness in reducing disaster risks.

In China’s Liangshan region, heavy rainfall demonstrated the value of timely warnings and coordinated emergency action. Early evacuation measures helped reduce disaster impacts and save lives.

A contrasting example was seen in Sri Lanka, where Tropical Cyclone Ditwah brought extreme rainfall, with around 10 per cent of the country's annual rainfall recorded within 24 hours. The event led to more than 640 deaths, displaced over 200,000 people and caused major economic losses estimated at around four per cent of GDP.

According to Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), rising temperatures are increasing risks across multiple sectors.

“Across Asia and the Pacific, heat is intensifying multi-hazard risks, intersecting with food systems, public health, infrastructure and oceans and placing new pressures on health and livelihoods,” she said.

The report underscores the need for strengthened climate services, impact-based forecasting and early warning systems as countries across Asia seek to adapt to a rapidly changing climate and protect vulnerable communities from escalating climate-related hazards.