World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Climate in Asia 2023

Context

Recently, World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) has published the report “State of the Climate in Asia 2023”.  

• Asia is experiencing a warming trend that is almost twice as fast as the global average compared to the period from 1961 to 1990.

About State of the Climate in Asia

• Published by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Objective: To assess and present the current state of climate conditions and trends across Asia.
• Scope: It covers various aspects such as temperature patterns, precipitation levels, extreme weather events, and their impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and human populations.
• Data Sources: The report relies on data collected from weather stations, satellite observations, climate models, and scientific research conducted by experts in the field.

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Key findings of the WMO Report 

Global Climate 

• Sea Level: In 2023, the global average sea level continued to rise at a sustained rate (3.43 ± 0.3 mm/year over the period from January 1993 to May 2023).
  • However, the rise in sea level is not uniform in all regions. 

• Most disaster-hit region: Asia was the region most affected by weather, climate, and water-related disasters in 2023.
  • Heat wave intensification: The impact of heat waves in Asia worsened in 2023.
• Dominant disasters: Floods and storms were the most common disasters, leading to the highest number of casualties and economic losses.
  • Disaster statistics: 79 hydro-meteorological disasters struck Asia in 2023, with floods and storms making up over 80% of these events. 
    • These disasters resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and affected over 9 million people.
• Climate change impact: The report highlights that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
  • Sea surface temperature rise: In 2023, area average Sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean reached record highs, with a marine heat wave even affecting the Arctic Ocean.
    • The upper layer of the ocean (0 m–700 m) is heating up significantly faster in specific areas like the North-Western Arabian Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the seas east of Japan. 
      • In these regions, the warming is over three times faster than the global average.
  • Precipitation: In 2023, many regions experienced below-average rainfall:
    • The Turan Lowland (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan)
    • The Hindu Kush (Afghanistan, Pakistan)
    • The Himalayas
    • Areas around the Ganges and lower course of the Brahmaputra Rivers (India and Bangladesh)
    • The Arakan Mountains (Myanmar)
    • The lower course of the Mekong River
      • Drought in Southwest China: In 2023, southwestern China experienced a drought, with lower-than-usual rainfall throughout the year. 
  • Temperature anomaly: The annual average near-surface temperature across Asia in 2023 was the second-highest ever recorded.
    • It  exceeded the 1991-2020 baseline by 0.91 degrees Celsius and the 1961-1990 baseline by 1.87 degrees Celsius.
  • Severe Heat Waves:
    • Japan’s Record Summer Heat:
      • Japan and Kazakhstan both experienced their hottest years ever in 2023.
      • The temperatures reached incredibly high levels all over the country.
    • China’s High Temperature Events:
      • China witnessed 14 extreme heat events during the summer.
      • Approximately 70% of the country’s meteorological stations recorded temperatures exceeding 40℃.
      • Sixteen stations broke their previous temperature records.

Indian Climate

• Extreme event: In India, floods were the main reason due to which many people died. 
  • In the North Indian Ocean basin, Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha made landfall along the Rakhine Coast in Myanmar.
    • It caused widespread destruction.
  • Severe Heat Waves: Severe heat waves in April and June caused around 110 reported deaths in India due to heatstroke.
    • Widespread Heat in South-East Asia: A big and long-lasting heat wave affected many areas of South-East Asia during April and May.
      • It reached from Bangladesh and Eastern India to southern China, with extremely high temperatures.
        • During this time, record-breaking heat was recorded. 
• Sea- level: In 2023, the sea level rise in the Bay of Bengal was the second-highest in the area, exceeding the global average by 30 percent.
• Precipitation: Rains in the summer-monsoon were below average in India. 

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