World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said global climate predictions have shown temperatures are expected to remain higher in the coming five years.

The organisation, in its latest report, emphasised that the development would increase climate risks and impacts on societies, economies and sustainable development. The global yearly report is one of the WMO climate products, besides the flagship the State of the Global Climate reports, which seek to inform decision-makers and policymakers through regular updates on climate information and knowledge.

It cautioned of an 80 per cent chance that, at least, one of the next five years would exceed 2024 as the warmest on record and an 86 per cent chance that, at least, one of next five years would be more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average.

According to the report, there is a 70 per cent chance that the five-year average warming for 2025-2029 will be more than 1.5°C, while long-term warming averaged over decades will remain below 1.5°C

“Arctic warming predicted to continue to outstrip global average. Precipitation patterns have big regional variations. 2025 is a crucial year for global climate action. Every fraction of a degree of warming impacts sustainable development, economies and lives,” it stated.

The WMO report forecasts that there is an 80 per cent chance that, at least, one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the warmest year on record, currently 2024.

“And there is an 86 per cent chance that, at least, one year will be more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. The report does not give global predictions for individual years. Every additional fraction of a degree of warming drives more harmful heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, intense droughts, melting of ice, sheets, sea ice, and glaciers, heating of the ocean, and rising sea levels, “ the report said.

WMO Deputy Secretary-General, Ko Barrett, said: “We have just experienced the ten warmest years on record. Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years, and this means that there will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet,” she said.

Continued climate monitoring and prediction is essential to provide decision-makers with science-based tools and information to help us adapt,” she said. The 1.5°C and 2.0°C level specified in the Paris Agreement refer to long-term levels of warming inferred from global temperatures, typically over 20 years. Temporary exceedances of such levels are expected to occur with increasing frequency as the underlying rise in global temperature approaches the level.

The current level of warming already drives more harmful heat waves, extreme rainfalls, intense droughts, melting of ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers, heating of the ocean, and rising sea levels.