Historic highs: March heats up amid climate crisis surge
Global temperatures in March reached historic highs. According to researchers, the heatwave exceeds scientific forecasts.
Global temperatures in March reached historic highs, and in Europe, this year's March was the warmest on record. As reported by ScienceAlert, weather anomalies resulted in extreme rainfall on the continent, which—according to observations—is warming much faster than other regions. These changes not only affect local weather conditions but also have global environmental impacts.
New month, new record
The world experienced the second warmest March on record, and since July 2023, almost every month has seen temperatures at least 1.5 degrees Celsius higher compared to pre-industrial times. March 2025 was 1.6 degrees warmer, which is an anomaly scientists are still trying to understand.
Effects of climate change
Each new temperature record is a clear signal of the deepening climate crisis. Scientists warn that each fraction of a degree of global warming increases the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts. Climate change affects global precipitation patterns, leading to more extreme weather events.
Rising average temperatures result in shifting seasons, which disrupt natural cycles. In March 2025, earlier plant blooming and changes in animal migrations were observed in many parts of the world. Such phenomena lead to ecosystem disturbances and destabilisation of food chains. The climate catastrophe and weather anomalies significantly impact agriculture as well. Earlier thaws and unusual temperatures weaken harvests, increase drought risk, and complicate crop planning.
March in Europe was 0.3 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous record in 2014. Some regions experienced the driest March on record, while others had the wettest conditions in half a century. Records, unstable temperatures, or atypical weather phenomena for the season highlight how an unstable climate leads to more extreme weather events.
Climate warming will continue
Experts agree that the burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of long-term global warming. Changes in global cloud patterns, air pollution, and the Earth's ability to store carbon contribute to fuelling a full-scale climate catastrophe.
