Third hottest year notched as fires, floods hit at home

Hotter temperatures are believed to be causing more frequent and severe extreme weather events. (Michael Currie/AAP PHOTOS)

Last year was the world's third warmest on record, underscoring a trend already fuelling destructive fires and floods in Australia in the early days of 2026.

Official confirmation from respected climate monitoring outfit Copernicus puts 2025 marginally behind 2023 and 0.13C cooler than 2024, which hangs on as the hottest year on record.