Name: Arab region warming at record pace, WMO warns of deadly extremes
Uploaded: 2025-12-04T15:55:02.144Z
Duration: 1 min 56 s
Description: One of the hottest places on Earth is getting even hotter. New warnings show that temperatures across the Arab region are rising.

One of the hottest places on Earth is getting even hotter. New warnings show that temperatures across the Arab region are rising.

Jeddah

The World Meteorological Organization's first state-of-the-climate report for the Arab region finds that North Africa and the Middle East are experiencing an accelerated rate of warming, with average temperatures rising more than one degree above previous records. The region has seen intense heatwaves, with some countries recording temperatures above 50°C, and has suffered from worsening droughts and deadly floods, affecting nearly 3.8 million people and causing over 300 deaths in 2024.

The report emphasizes the need for more robust multi-hazard early warning systems, noting that while nearly 60% of Arab countries have such systems, coverage and effectiveness remain insufficient. Climate models project that, under high emission scenarios, average temperatures in the region could rise by up to five degrees by the end of the century, prompting calls for urgent action and increased support to mitigate future climate risks.

Arab region warming at record pace, WMO warns of deadly extremes

It's already one of the hottest places on Earth, and it's only getting hotter. The first state-of-the-climate report for the Arab region warns the rate of warming is accelerating across North Africa and the Middle East. After the hottest year on record, average temperatures climbed more than one degree above previous highs. Intense heatwaves are testing societies to the limit, with some countries hitting temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. And health ecosystems and economies are struggling to cope. Droughts worsened in western North Africa, particularly Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, after six consecutive failed rainy seasons, while extreme rainfall and flash floods caused death and destruction across arid countries from Saudi Arabia to Somalia. Nearly 3.8 million were affected in 2024, with more than 300 deaths. The report warns the true human and economic toll is likely far higher. It says multi-hazard early warning systems are now more crucial than ever. Nearly 60% of Arab countries have them, above the global average, but still not enough. The other country is actually, we don't say they don't have the early warning system, but we say they have early warning with some basic function. So what they need, this country, is more support, more technical support on one hand, and also building the capacity of this country to how to utilize and to promote its system to be more efficient and more effective. Climate models suggest the region could see average temperatures rise by up to five degrees by the end of the century under high emission scenarios. It's hoped the report serves as a wake-up call today for tomorrow's climate realities. Cara Legge, Al Jazeera.

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