Key highlights from the report “State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2025”, published by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are: 

  • Temperatures remained well above average, with 2025 ranking among the fifth to eighth warmest years on record across Latin America and the Caribbean, at around +0.40 °C above 1991–2020 levels. 
  • Andean glaciers are losing mass at an accelerating rate with implications for long-term water security in the region. Sea levels are rising faster than the global average along the northern Atlantic coast of South America and across Central America and the Caribbean. 
  • Ocean acidification and ocean warming are ongoing across the region, with a continued decline in surface ocean pH and rising temperatures, compounding risks to marine ecosystems and fisheries. 
  • Hurricane Melissa became the first Category 5 hurricane on record to make landfall in Jamaica, leading to 45 deaths and economic losses of approximately 8.8 billion US dollars, more than 41% of GDP. Despite these impacts, successful prior risk modelling enabled both financial and policy preparedness in Jamaica.
  • Extreme rainfall and flooding triggered major humanitarian impacts, including over 110 000 people affected in Peru and Ecuador, 83 deaths in Mexico, and widespread landslides and infrastructure damage. 
  • Prolonged and widespread drought affected large parts of the region, with up to 85% of Mexico impacted, severe water shortages in the Caribbean and over 40% rainfall deficits in parts of southern South America, contributing to agricultural losses and wildfire risk. 
  • Record-breaking heat extremes were observed across the region, including 52.7 °C in Mexicali, Mexico, as well as multiple heatwaves exceeding 40 °C–45 °C across Mesoamerica, and an all-time record of 37.2 °C in São Paulo, Brazil. 
  • As extreme heat events intensify, reducing avoidable mortality will depend on strengthening climate–health cooperation, improving mortality attribution and embedding climate intelligence into health planning and emergency preparedness across the region.

Access the report here