2026 Predicted to Be One of the Warmest Years on Record

• Some climate models suggest 2026 could edge out 2024 as the warmest year on record.
• The significant impact on global temperature typically comes after an El Niño peak, which hasn't happened yet.
• A record-setting El Niño event has contributed to record heat across much of the world.
• Datasets are split on whether 2026 is headed for a record, but 2027 is very likely to be the warmest year on record.
• Earth's energy imbalance has more than doubled, and the Arctic sea ice minimum is tied with previous records.