Last month was the hottest January on record, climate scientists have announced — despite the onset of a cold climate pattern in the Pacific and parts of the U.S. experiencing record-breaking cold.
Global surface air temperatures averaged 55.81 degrees Fahrenheit (13.23 degrees Celsius) in January 2025, up from 55.65 F (13.14 C) in 2024 — the previous hottest January on record. That increase isn't huge, but scientists expected temperatures to be cooler this year.
