State of the climate in Asia 2024

The WMO State of the Climate in Asia 2024 (WMO-No. 1373), is the fifth edition of climate reports published annually for this region. The global climate system is complex, thus the WMO State of the Climate reports use climate indicators to describe how the climate has changed - providing a broad view of the climate at global and regional scales - in order to help understand such complexity. This report provides the status of these key climate indicators and latest data and information on impacts, risks and policy from United Nations agencies. It addresses specific physical science, socio-economic and policy aspects that are relevant to Asia and responds to Members needs in the fields of climate monitoring, climate change and climate services.

The report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. Key findings further include:

• In 2024, Asia's average temperature was 1.04 °C above the 1991-2020 average, marking the warmest (or second warmest) year on record
• reduced winter snowfall paired with extreme summer heat accelerated glacier mass loss in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan
• Sea-surface temperatures were the highest on record
• Tropical Cyclone Yagi, the strongest storm of the year, caused widespread damage and casualties across multiple countries
• Record-breaking flooding in Central Asia was the worst in over 70 years

The report also highlights a case study in Nepal on the success of early warning systems and anticipatory action in strengthening community response to climate risks, thus calling on investment into adaptation, early warnings, and climate-resilient development.