In 2025, Latin America faced a critical year due to extreme heat, which broke historical records and triggered alarming climate phenomena. A report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), presented in Brazil, details how temperatures far exceeded usual averages in Latin America and the Caribbean, intensifying droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.
The report highlights that the oceans in the region are warming rapidly, raising the sea level beyond the global average in certain areas. This change has accelerated the loss of mass from the Andean glaciers, compromising the water resources of millions of inhabitants. The WMO emphasizes that extreme heat is now a critical climate threat on the continent.
During 2025, record temperatures and severe droughts devastated agriculture and depleted urban water reserves. The lack of rain also intensified wildfires, severely affecting the ecological balance in the region. In contrast, the warm waters of the oceans triggered violent climate phenomena in the Caribbean.
A clear example was the mega-hurricane Melissa, which devastated the economy of the Caribbean islands. This category 5 cyclone left behind a tragic toll and economic losses of about 9 billion dollars in Jamaica, a testament to the destructive potential of climate change.
Latin America experienced one of its warmest years with a regional average temperature 0.40 degrees above the 1991-2020 average. In Mexicali, Mexico, thermometers reached 52.7 degrees Celsius, an unprecedented national record. In São Paulo, Brazil, a historic maximum temperature of 37.2 degrees was recorded.
These data reflect the growing intensity of heat waves in the region, especially in Mesoamerica, where temperatures regularly exceeded 40 degrees. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme heat, which raises risks for public health and agriculture.
Disasters in Latin America
The water deficit became a critical problem, affecting up to 85% of Mexico at certain times of the year. This situation worsened the water crisis and affected agriculture. In southern South America, some areas experienced a reduction in rainfall of more than 40%, damaging crops and water resources.
The WMO report also documents devastating floods in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico, where thousands suffered material damage and loss of lives. Hurricane Melissa is an example of how ocean warming is causing more destructive storms.
The accelerated melting of the Andean glaciers is a clear sign of climate change in the region. These glaciers are crucial as freshwater reserves, and their retreat threatens water security and the stability of mountain ecosystems.
The WMO emphasizes the need to strengthen adaptation and resilience policies in the face of climate change. The Secretary-General of the WMO, Celeste Saulo, urged improved international cooperation and investment in resilient infrastructure and water management.
The organization warns that extreme heat will continue to intensify if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. Transforming infrastructure and mitigating dependence on fossil fuels are vital to preventing future natural disasters.
