2016-2025 climate report from the General Directorate of Meteorology: The hottest and driest period

The General Directorate of Meteorology published the global and national temperature and drought analysis report for the 2016-2025 period, which also includes measurement data from different international organizations.

Accordingly; The period 2016-2025 was the warmest 10-year period on a global scale. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) assessments, all 11 years between 2015 and 2025 were recorded as the 11 hottest years on record. While a significant temperature jump was recorded in 2023, 2024 became the hottest year recorded on a global scale with an average temperature of 15.1 degrees. 2025 was classified as the 3rd warmest year in the Copernicus/ECMWF and NOAA data sets. In 2025, global ocean heat content broke a record, reaching the highest level in modern observation history.

Türkiye BROKE A RECORD WITH AN AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF 15.6 DEGREES

In Turkey, the temperature increase is in line with the global trend and many high temperature records have been recorded in the last 10 years. Türkiye's average temperature, which was 15.1 degrees in 2023, was approximately 1.2 degrees above the 1991-2020 normal, according to MGM values, and 2023 became Turkey's 3rd hottest year. 2024 was Türkiye's hottest year on record, with an average temperature of 15.6 degrees. In Türkiye, the average temperature between 2016 and 2025 was 14.9 degrees.

2025 IS THE DRIEST YEAR SINCE 1964

In terms of drought in Turkey, the period 2020-2022 and especially the year 2025 stood out. In WMO and Copernicus/ECMWF assessments, 2025 was recorded as Turkey's driest year since 1964. In 2025, annual rainfall was 27.6 percent below normal, and the rainfall deficit exceeded 60 percent in some parts of Southeastern Anatolia. In the MGM analysis, it was pointed out that high temperature conditions were experienced in Türkiye in the same year, and it was reminded that the national maximum temperature was reported in Şırnak's Silopi district on July 25 with 50.5 degrees. In line with these measured data, it was emphasized that the average temperature values ​​between 2016 and 2025 in Türkiye and all regions except the Black Sea Region were above the optimistic and pessimistic scenario expectations.

'THE RATE OF WARMING IN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE SYSTEM WAS FELT STRONG'

In the conclusion of the report, it was stated that "The 2016-2025 period clearly reveals the speed of warming in the global climate system and its reflections on Türkiye. Temperature differences have become evident in Türkiye and 2024 has been recorded as a new national temperature record. In terms of drought, the 2020-2022 period and especially 2025 stand out. 2025 is considered the driest year after 1964."

MINISTER INSTITUTION: IT IS AN ISSUE OF TODAY, NOT THE FUTURE

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, in his statement regarding the report on his virtual media account, said, "Climate change is not a matter of the future, but of today. According to the global and national temperature and drought analyzes of the 2016-2025 period shared by our General Directorate of Meteorology; 2024 was Turkey's hottest year on record, and 2025 was the driest year since 1964. Combating climate change is now a necessity. We continue to work with the goal of a climate-resistant Turkey." "We do," he said.