According to a report from CCTV News Client on Thursday, multiple regions around the globe are experiencing unusually high temperatures, shattering historical records for this time of year. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated on the 28th that there’s a whopping 86% chance that between 2026 and 2030, at least one year will surpass 2024 to become the hottest year ever recorded.
Just recently, parts of northern India saw local temperatures skyrocket to 48.2°C—a new national all-time high—and the capital, New Delhi, hit a scorching 45°C. Right now, India’s Meteorological Department has issued heat wave warnings for several states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab, predicting that this extreme heat will stick around until the end of May.
The government of Telangana, a southern state in India, reported on the 24th that since summer began, the extreme heat there has already claimed at least 16 lives.
On May 27, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke out about the extreme heat wave, reminding folks to drink plenty of water.
According to Global Times, Modi also urged people to keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke. “If you notice someone around you feeling unusually unwell, weak, or getting headaches, get them to a shady spot ASAP. Make sure they can rehydrate with water, oral rehydration salts, or other cooling drinks,” he said. He also called out children, the elderly, and outdoor workers as groups especially vulnerable to extreme heat, adding, “A little timely care and attention can go a long way in this kind of weather.”
India has a tropical monsoon climate. From March to June each year, as the sun’s direct rays shift north, the Indian subcontinent gets blasted with intense solar radiation. With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the northwest, only the low-lying Ganges basin traps heat day after day, making it a hotspot for blistering weather.
India isn’t alone—Europe is also getting hammered by freakish high temperatures, with many places breaking historical records for this time of year.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency reported on the 27th that a total of 10 autonomous communities had issued heat wave or severe storm warnings. The Basque Country was hit hardest, with maximum temps reaching 37°C.
What’s more, according to Spain’s meteorological agency and several other weather services, this heat wave is expected to peak between the 27th and the 29th, with many areas nearing or exceeding 40°C—weather that looks more like the “peak of a typical July” than late May.
Meanwhile, France and Portugal are also dealing with an “early summer.” France’s meteorological service says the country is experiencing “unprecedented” heat, with some areas more than 10°C above the seasonal norm. Spain’s agency warns that southern parts could hit 40°C later this week.
In 2025, the EU’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus, stated that Europe is warming faster than any other continent—at twice the global average. These aren’t just random heat waves anymore; this extreme weather pattern is becoming the new normal. The once “cool and livable” Europe is being redefined by more and more frequent extreme events.
According to the WMO, 2024 is currently the hottest year on record, with global temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
Based on a new report released by the WMO and prepared by the UK Met Office, global average temperatures are likely to stay at or near historic highs over the next five years. Between 2026 and 2030, there’s a very high probability (91%) that at least one year will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. And the five-year average temperature will likely (75% probability) also exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
