Could 2027 be the warmest year on record?
by USA TODAY
Based on recent climate projections, there is a significant possibility that 2027 could become the warmest year on record. While 2026 temperatures are expected to rise, they are currently unlikely to surpass the records set in 2024.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), a strong El Niñois forecast to develop later in 2026 and persist through the end of the year. Climate scientist Zeke Hausfathersays that this specific climate pattern typically pushes global temperatures to new heights, making 2027very likely to exceed previous records. This transition follows a period where 2025was ranked as the third hottest year globally, illustrating a continuing streak of warming temperatures.
The developing climate cycle is also expected to influence the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, though an El Niño typically reduces overall storm activity. Despite this, meteorologists warn that major hurricane impacts can still occur during these transition periods. Experts are closely monitoring the subsurface ocean heatin the tropical Pacific, which serves as a precursor to these significant global temperature shifts.
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