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Global Extremes: Heatwaves, Wildfires Clash With Arctic Cold
10 Feb
Summary
- January 2026 saw extreme heat in the Southern Hemisphere with wildfires.
- Europe experienced its coldest January since 2010, with Arctic air.
- Global temperatures remained near record highs despite regional cold snaps.
In January 2026, global temperatures continued to hover near record highs, even as extreme cold gripped parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Europe recorded its coldest January since 2010, with frigid Arctic air pushing south across Siberia, northern and eastern Europe, and into the United States.
Simultaneously, the Southern Hemisphere experienced intensified extreme weather. Australia, Chile, and Patagonia faced deadly wildfires, while southern Africa, Mozambique, and Brazil saw severe flooding. These contrasting conditions underscore the complex and often localized impacts of a warming planet.
Beyond surface temperatures, ocean heat remained elevated, contributing to declining sea ice at both poles. Arctic sea ice extent was 6% below normal, the third-lowest January on record, with significant losses in key areas. Antarctica also observed below-average sea ice.
