The year 2023 was 1.48 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial era climate, announced today by the European service Copernicus, confirming it as the warmest year in the history of the planet.

"In 2023, a global average temperature of 14.98 degrees Celsius was recorded, which is 0.17 degrees Celsius above the previous annual record set in 2016," the European observatory announced, with its data dating back to 1850. These temperatures "likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years," commented Samantha Berges, Deputy Director of Copernicus' Climate Change Service.

Furthermore, the average surface temperatures of the oceans in 2023 "remained at high and unusual levels, reaching seasonal record highs from April to December," fueled by the return of the El Niño climate phenomenon, added Copernicus.

These unprecedented temperatures over the past nine months threaten marine life, increase the intensity of storms, and raise atmospheric temperatures. They are particularly examined by climatologists, given the major role oceans play as climate regulators, absorbing over 90% of the excess heat caused by human activity.

Regarding Cyprus, January is expected to be 1°C to 2°C warmer than usual, according to the January agrometeorological bulletin issued by the Meteorology Department.

The expected rainfall amount is disappointing for the current month, as it will range around 50% to 75% of the normal levels.

"Similar arid characteristics are presented across the entire Eastern Mediterranean region, the Balkans, and much of Asia Minor, as well as the Near and Middle East," the Department adds.

Moreover, according to preliminary meteorological data for December 2023, the Meteorology Department reports that the average temperatures recorded were much higher than normal.

It mentions that there were also many extreme temperature values both in maximum and minimum (deviating beyond 4°C from the normal) at all reference stations.

For instance, the maximum temperature in Prodromos was 17.1°C with the normal being 8.3°C, i.e., 8.8°C higher than normal. Similarly, the maximum temperatures in Polis Chrysochous and Athalassa were 26°C and 25.3°C, respectively, with their normals being 18°C and 17.3°C, respectively. The temperatures at both these stations are 8°C higher than their respective normal temperatures.

Regarding minimum temperatures, the Meteorology Department reports that, for example, the minimum temperature in Larnaca was 16.8°C with the normal being 9.2°C, and in Prodromos, it was 9.3°C with the normal being 2.6°C. These temperatures are 7.6°C and 6.7°C higher, respectively, than their normal ones.

In terms of cumulative rainfall, according to the Department, December recorded cumulative rainfall significantly below the normal with the average surface distribution amounting to 50.9mm or 54% of the normal.