According to the WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report, 2024 was Asia’s warmest year on record, with widespread and prolonged heatwaves.
About ‘The State of the Climate in Asia Report’
- It highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region.
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.
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World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- Founded: 1950 by the UN, replacing the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) (est. 1873).
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Status: A specialized agency of the United Nations.
- Focus: Meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related fields.
Key Functions
- International Coordination: Promotes global collaboration in weather, climate, and water sciences.
- Standardization: Sets global standards for meteorological and hydrological data and practices.
- Observing Systems: Manages systems like Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) for data collection.
- Forecasting & Warnings: Enhances weather forecasting and early warning systems for extreme events (e.g. floods, cyclones).
- Climate Monitoring: Tracks and assesses climate change and variability to support scientific and policy responses.
Governance Structure
- World Meteorological Congress (WMC): Highest decision-making body; Meets every 4 years to set policies and elect leadership.
- Executive Council: Oversees policy implementation between Congress sessions; Comprises elected members from various regions.
- Secretariat: Handles day-to-day operations; Led by the Secretary-General and a team of ~200 staff.
- Regional Associations (6): Group countries by geography to address regional weather and climate concerns.
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Key Highlights
Trends across Asia
- Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, leading to severe heatwaves, cyclonic activity, and abnormal rainfall patterns.
- Asia’s average temperature in 2024 was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average – making it the warmest or second-warmest year on record.
- The warming trend (1991–2024) is almost double the rate seen from 1961–1990.
- Heatwaves lasted from April to November in East Asia.
- Japan matched its hottest summer record, with a national average 1.76°C above normal.
- Korea, China, and Russia also experienced multiple monthly temperature records.
India-Specific Highlights
- Temperatures soared close to 50°C, especially in Uttar Pradesh and surrounding regions.
- The 2024 monsoon (June–September) was normal overall, at 108% of the 1971–2020 average.
- However, Wayanad in Kerala saw heavy rainfall-triggered landslides, resulting in over 350 deaths.
- Rainfall during the Indian summer monsoon was above normal, with enhanced intensity in South Asia.
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) & Sea Level Rise
- SSTs in Asia were the highest ever recorded.
- SST warming rate in Asia: 0.24°C/decade, nearly double the global average of 0.13°C/decade.
- Sea level rise on the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts exceeded global averages, endangering coastal communities.
- Asia’s ocean areas showed consistent surface warming, especially in the northern Arabian Sea and parts of the Pacific.
- Marine heatwaves of extreme intensity affected the largest area since 1993, especially in the northern Indian Ocean, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea.
Glacier Loss
- 23 out of 24 glaciers in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan lost mass
- This increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), landslides, and threatens water security.
| Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) refer to the sudden release of water and sediment from glacial lakes that are naturally dammed by barriers such as moraines (debris of ice, sand, and pebbles) or glacier ice. |
Cyclonic Activity
- Four tropical cyclones formed over the North Indian Ocean:
- Three in Bay of Bengal – Remal, Dana, Fengal.
- One in Arabian Sea – Asna (a rare event, only the 4th such case since 1891).
- Cyclone Remal made landfall near Bangladesh and West Bengal in May 2024, causing 2.5 m high floods and damaging winds (up to 111 km/h).
- Cyclone Asna affected Oman with waves up to 5 meters.
- Cyclone Fengal made landfall in India (Nov 30) after affecting Sri Lanka with heavy rains, landslides
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