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Despite a slight dip in global temperatures compared to the extreme heat waves of the past two years, July 2025 still ranked as the third-hottest July on record. While global averages showed a marginal cooling, Türkiye experienced its highest temperature, with the southeastern town of Silopi reaching a sweltering 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit).
According to data released by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the European Union’s Earth observation program, the global average surface temperature in July 2025 stood at 16.68°C. This figure is 0.45°C above the July average from the 1991–2020 reference period and 1.25°C higher than pre-industrial levels. Compared to July 2023 and July 2024, this year’s July was 0.27°C and 0.23°C cooler, respectively.
Though these statistics indicate a brief pause in record-breaking heat, the broader trend remains worrying. The 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025 recorded global average temperatures 0.65°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.53°C higher than pre-industrial times.
Europe also experienced abnormal warmth in July. The continent's average land temperature reached 21.1°C, 1.3°C higher than the July average for 1991–2020, making it the fourth hottest July on record for the region. The Scandinavian countries—Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway—stood out as the area with the most significant temperature anomalies. Prolonged heatwave conditions notably affected Finland and Sweden.
In southeastern Europe, soaring temperatures triggered heatwaves and wildfires, with Türkiye seeing its highest temperature on record. On July 25, Silopi, a district in the southeastern province of Sirnak, recorded an unprecedented 50.5°C.
Beyond Europe, elevated temperatures were also observed across the Himalayas, China, and Japan. Ocean temperatures also remained unusually high. The average global sea surface temperature reached 20.77°C in July, marking the third highest value ever recorded for any month.
Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S, commented on the findings by pointing out that although July 2025 did not break temperature records, the global warming trend remains intact.
He warned, “This does not mean climate change has stopped. Over the past month, we continued to witness the devastating impacts of rising global temperatures, such as extreme heat and floods. Unless we rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions, we should not only expect more temperature records but also more severe consequences—and we must prepare for them.”
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