WMO Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2005

This technical document is part of an annual series published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on the status of the global climate. It highlights that the year 2005 was most likely one of the two warmest years on record since 1850. The 2005 hurricane season saw some of the most destructive hurricanes on record, which claimed more than 3 000 lives in Central America and the United States. Disastrous floods and landslides due to extreme precipitation events were also reported worldwide. Prolonged drought conditions continued to affect parts of Africa, Australia and the western United States. In 2005, western parts of Europe were also under the grip of a severe drought. Arctic sea ice during September 2005 was the lowest on record and below the average for the fourth consecutive year. The ozone hole in 2005 was the third largest recorded after 2000 and 2003. In December, central Europe and central  and eastern parts of Asia experienced significantly colder than average temperatures.