Choking fires, deadly heat and devastating floods: 2026 in extreme weather
The world experienced its hottest year since records began in 1850, with extreme weather causing tens of thousands of deaths and displacing millions across the globe.
After the world's hottest summer since records began in 1850, the death toll from extreme weather in 2026 is already in the high tens of thousands. That is a conservative estimate and is certain to rise much higher. As Cop31 continues and scientists warn that climate breakdown may be accelerating, the Guardian looks back at a year of droughts, fires and floods as a reminder that, unless the world takes urgent action to cut emissions, this disastrous year will be one of the best of the rest of our lives.
Global heat records
Every month in 2026 set or tied heat records, with January, February, March, June, July, and October all ranking as the hottest on record for those months. The year saw temperatures jump nearly 20°C (68°F) above average in Australia, where 50°C was recorded in Port Augusta. In South Asia, temperatures soared above 45°C in several Indian and Bangladeshi cities, hitting a peak of 52°C in Pakistan's Sindh province.
The World Meteorological Organization revealed an alarming buildup of energy in Earth's system, with more than 90% stored in oceans where warming has more than doubled over the past two decades compared with the previous 45-year average.
The global climate is in a state of emergency. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red.
Deadly floods and storms
Record rainfall triggered devastating floods across the globe. In Brazil, Juiz de Fora recorded its wettest ever month, causing landslides that killed 72 people and swept away hundreds of homes. Ethiopia reported at least 131 flood deaths, while Kenya and Tanzania recorded 80 and 18 deaths respectively. In West Africa, relentless rains claimed almost 100 lives from May to June.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck Micronesia, Guam and Saipan in April with wind speeds of 295km/h, killing 12 people and causing $1.5 billion in damages. In September, Typhoon Dujuan killed at least 10 people in Japan with violent winds and record rainfall. The deadliest event occurred in Nepal in August, when a glacier collapse killed at least 1,300 people, with 5,000 still missing.
Unprecedented fires
Extreme heat fueled wildfires across multiple continents. In Canada, almost 1,000 wildfires burned 3 million hectares, sending smoke as far as New York and creating the world's worst air quality in Toronto on July 15. In Europe, prolonged droughts created tinderbox conditions for wildfires in Greece, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Germany, Spain and France, burning 686,000 hectares—twice the 20-year average.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires kills an estimated 4,000 people each year, almost four times as many as at the start of the century. In the United States, extreme heat disrupted Independence Day celebrations, with half the population under heat alerts and dozens of heat-related deaths reported.
Climate emergency response
The UN disaster relief agency urged countries to prepare for an unprecedented 'wrecking ball' El Niño forecast to peak around year-end. In Europe, the warmest summer on record forced Romania to shut down its only nuclear power station when cooling systems couldn't be replenished by low water levels in the Danube River.
As the climate crisis intensifies, scientists warn that oceans entering uncharted territory of warming could accelerate land and air temperature increases. The Arctic and Antarctic experienced unprecedented warmth, with Antarctica recording rain and dirt after an eight-day heatwave that peaked at 15°C, while the Arctic experienced its warmest June ever.
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