Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the rest of the planet, leading to a sharp surge in extreme weather events. It also leads to long-term threats to its people, economies and ecosystems, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) new State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report.
The report confirms that 2024 was the warmest year on record for the continent. It might be the second warmest, depending on the dataset. Scorching heatwaves and deadly floods are occurring. Glaciers are disappearing, and seas are rising. The climate is reshaping the region in alarming ways.
“Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll,” — Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General
REGION IN OVERDRIVE: FASTEST-WARMING CONTINENT
Between 1991 and 2024, Asia’s warming rate has been nearly double that of the 1961–1990 baseline. Sea surface temperatures have also hit record highs, with Asian waters warming at almost twice the global average rate.
This warming trend has pushed the region to the brink of multiple climate tipping points.
- Record ocean heat: Vast swathes of the ocean saw prolonged marine heatwaves.
- Glacier crisis: In the Himalayas and Tian Shan mountains, 23 out of 24 glaciers recorded mass loss in 2024.
- Rising seas: Coastal regions on the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides are seeing sea level rise above the global average, putting low-lying nations and megacities at increasing risk.
DISASTERS IN THE WAKE OF WARMING
Climate extremes are no longer occasional. They are becoming the norm.
- Heatwaves scorched large parts of Asia, especially South and Southeast Asia, endangering health systems and power grids.
- Extreme rainfall triggered floods that displaced millions and led to heavy casualties across multiple nations.
- Tropical cyclones intensified, leaving behind destruction in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and parts of China.
- Droughts devastated crops, dried up rivers, and inflicted major economic losses, particularly in Central and Western Asia.
GLACIERS IN RETREAT: A WATER SECURITY ALARM
The retreat of Asia’s glaciers—particularly in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan—is one of the starkest indicators of warming. These glaciers are crucial water sources for hundreds of millions. Their decline threatens future water availability. It also increases risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslides.
“Glacier mass loss and rising sea levels are more than statistics. They are warnings—about future water insecurity and the collapse of coastal resilience,” the report states.
EARLY WARNINGS SAVE LIVES: NEPAL’S MODEL
Amid the sobering statistics, the WMO offered a ray of hope in the form of a case study from Nepal. The country has successfully implemented early warning systems. These systems and actions help communities brace for floods, droughts, and climate variability.
“This kind of preparedness is vital,” said Saulo. “It protects lives and livelihoods, especially in the most vulnerable regions.”
IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY AND PREPAREDNESS
The State of the Climate in Asia 2024 is not just a scientific document. It is a policy tool. The data and case studies it includes aim to inform national and regional climate strategies, disaster preparedness plans, and cross-border collaborations.
“The work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partners is more important than ever,” Saulo stressed.
A REGION ON THE EDGE
From melting glaciers to rising seas and life-threatening heatwaves, Asia stands at the frontline of the global climate crisis. As the continent warms at double the global rate, the urgency for bold climate adaptation and mitigation measures has never been clearer.
The WMO’s 2024 report is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for resilience. What nations do now will shape the fate of billions of people in the years to come.
