---
title: "2026 on track to be hottest year as climate summit opens"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/2026-on-track-to-be-hottest-year-as-climate-summit-opens"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/2026-on-track-to-be-hottest-year-as-climate-summit-opens"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/2026-on-track-to-be-hottest-year-as-climate-summit-opens.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/2026-on-track-to-be-hottest-year-as-climate-summit-opens"
category: "Climate"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-11-09T10:45:45.582Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-09T09:51:42.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-09T11:00:46.574Z"
trust_score: 86
critic_score: 95
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-09T10:55:38.154557+00:00"
---

# 2026 on track to be hottest year as climate summit opens

*World Meteorological Organization reports record temperatures and warns of accelerating warming ahead of COP31 talks.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Trust high (86) due to named experts, WMO report, multiple independent outlets, specific figures and dates.
- Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic score 95; article explains relevance, includes quotes, clear facts, specific data, and future outlook.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype low (15); language is measured, no sensationalism, and headline matches article content.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The global average surface temperature for January-September 2026 was 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
- The WMO reported that the last 12 years have been the warmest on record, with the past four years being the top four.
- The UN climate summit COP31 is being held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9-20, 2026.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world has entered a "new age of climate extremes" due to human-caused climate change colliding with a "supersized" El Niño.

The year 2026 is on course to be one of the hottest on record, driven by human-caused global warming and a significant El Niño event. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that the global average surface temperature from January to September 2026 was approximately 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average. This figure is expected to rise further by year's end due to the warming influence of El Niño. The WMO's State of the Climate Update 2026 also noted that the last 12 years have each been the warmest on record, with the four most recent years being the hottest.

Sea levels have reached their highest recorded point, and sea-surface temperatures have set monthly records throughout 2026. The report also highlights the ongoing retreat of glaciers, with annual ice loss in 2025 equivalent to filling five Olympic swimming pools every second. Freshwater storage has been diminishing since 2014. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a "new age of climate extremes," where a "supersized El Niño is colliding with a planet already superheated by manmade climate change."

These findings come as countries gather for the UN climate summit, COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026. Guterres urged world leaders to accelerate emissions cuts, transition to clean energy, and provide financial and protective support for vulnerable nations.

## Disagreement on 2026 temperature threshold

The Independent (US) reported that the EU's Copernicus climate service indicated 2026 was "all but certain" to exceed the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, making it the second calendar year after 2024 to do so. None of the other reports mention this specific detail or the Copernicus climate service.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mentioned the specific detail about annual ice loss in 2025 filling five Olympic swimming pools every second, a fact reported by The Independent (US) in its full report. No right-rated outlet ran this story at all.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 30 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 40% (12)
- Centre: 30% (9)
- Right: 30% (9)

20 of 50 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-09T10:55:38.154557+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-09T11:30:07.364Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led with the record-breaking temperatures and the collision of human-caused warming with El Niño. The Independent (US) and The Independent highlighted that 2026 could be the hottest year on record and questioned if a "super" El Niño was to blame. They also reported the WMO's finding that the last 12 years have been the warmest on record and that the global average surface temperature for January-September 2026 was 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average. The Independent (US) also included quotes from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who described the situation as a "new age of climate extremes" and called for faster emissions cuts. Saudi Gazette also quoted Guterres on the "new age of climate extremes" and the collision of El Niño with a superheated planet. NBC News and heimildin.is focused on the COP31 summit opening amid extreme weather and the UN Secretary-General's call for leaders to "take the climate crisis seriously" and "get serious."

### Centre

- The centre-rated report from INTELLINEWS focused on scientists predicting 2026 could be the hottest year on record as climate talks begin. It mentioned the COP31 summit opening and the prediction of record temperatures.

### Right

- Right-rated outlets reported that 2026 is expected to be one of the four warmest years on record. This is according to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report. The temperature between January and September this year was 1.47 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels.
- Several reports mentioned the influence of El Niño in driving these temperatures. The WMO report was released on the first day of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31). This summit is scheduled to take place in Turkey.
- Digests from these outlets noted that the past twelve years have been among the warmest ever recorded. Some also mentioned accelerating sea level rise and record ocean heat capacity.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 6
- high: 19
- unknown: 21
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Handelsblatt](https://handelsblatt.com/politik/international/cop31-klimagipfel-startet-vor-dem-heissesten-jahr-jemals/100268308.html) — COP31: Climate Summit Starts – Before the Hottest Year Ever?
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/fiecare-indicator-ne-spune-aceeasi-poveste-onu-avertizeaza-ultimii-12-ani-au-fost-cei-mai-caldurosi-din-istoria-masuratorilor-23840146) — "Every Indicator Tells Us the Same Story. UN Warns: the Last 12 Years Have Been the Warmest in the History of Measurements
- [Pentapostagma](https://pentapostagma.gr/epistimi/periballon/7397893_me-dyskola-themata-epi-tapitos-xekina-i-cop31-stin-attaleia-hronia) — COP31 Begins in Antalya with Difficult Issues on the Table - Record Year in 2026 for Temperature
- [Orissa POST](https://orissapost.com/2026-likely-to-be-among-four-warmest-years-on-record-wmo) — 2026 likely to be among four warmest years on record: WMO - OrissaPOST
- [Telegrafi](https://telegrafi.com/viti-2026-pritet-te-shpallet-viti-me-i-nxehte-i-regjistruar-ndonjehere-ndersa-nisin-bisedimet-per-klimen) — 2026 Set to Be Hottest Year on Record as Climate Talks Begin
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-914313) — UN report: 2026 on track to be among four hottest years on record as El Niño drives warming
- [Обозреватель](https://obozrevatel.com/ukr/section-novosti-mir/news-okeany-nahrivayutsya-lodovyky-tanut-oon-oprylyudnyla-tryvozhnyy-klimatychnyy-zvit-09-11-2026.html) — Oceans Are Warming, Glaciers Are Melting: UN Releases Alarming Climate Report
- [Infrastructure news](https://infrastructurenews.co.za/2026/11/09/state-of-the-climate-in-2026-gives-new-meaning-to-phrase-off-the-charts) — State Of The Climate In 2026 Gives New Meaning To Phrase “Off The Charts”
- [expressodasilhas.cv](https://expressodasilhas.cv/mundo/2026/11/09/relatorio-da-cop31-aponta-2026-como-um-dos-quatro-anos-mais-quentes/105456) — COP31 Report Points 2026 as One of the Warmest Four Years
- [NEWS9 LIVE](https://news9live.com/world/cop31-world-leaders-gather-in-turkey-after-year-of-extreme-weather-3023045) — COP31: World leaders gather in Turkey after year of extreme weather
- [UNN](https://unn.ua/news/2026-rik-mozhe-staty-odnym-iz-chotyrokh-naispekotnishykh-za-vsiu-istoriiu-sposterezhen-zvit-oon) — 2026 Could Be One of the Four Hottest in Recorded History
- [heimildin.is](https://heimildin.is/grein/70553/old-loftslagsofga-runnin-upp) — The "Age of Climate Extremes" Has Arrived
- [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/science/climate-change/leaders-gather-turkey-un-climate-summit-extreme-weather-rcna608259) — Leaders gather in Turkey for U.N. climate summit after a disastrous year of extreme weather
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/climate-change/el-nino-climate-change-2026-hot-b3081531.html) — 2026 could be hottest year on record. Is a 'super' El Niño to blame?
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/climate-change/el-nino-climate-change-2026-hot-b3081531.html) — 2026 could be hottest year on record. Is a 'super' El Niño to blame?
- [CNBC-TV18](https://cnbctv18.com/world/this-year-set-to-be-one-of-four-hottest-on-record-un-report-says-20030410.htm) — This year set to be one of four hottest on record, UN report says
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/11/09/cop31-relatorio-alerta-que-2026-sera-um-dos-quatro-anos-mais-quentes-de-que-ha-registo) — COP31. Report Warns that 2026 Will Be One of the Four Warmest Years of Registration
- [Novi list](https://novilist.hr/novosti/svijet/2026-medu-cetiri-najtoplije-godine-u-povijesti-temperature-bi-zbog-el-nina-mogle-dodatno-rasti) — 2026. Među čEtiri Najtoplije Godine U Povijesti: Temperature Bi Zbog El Niña Mogle Podatno Rasti
- [anlatilaninotesi.com.tr](https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20261109/cop31-turkiyede-basladi-bmden-iklim-uyarisi-dunya-giderek-daha-hizli-isiniyor-asiri-hava-olaylari-1110210054.html) — COP31 Has Started in Türkiye. UN Issues Climate Warning: The World Is Warming Faster, Extreme Weather Events Will Intensify.
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/2026-bi-mogla-biti-jedna-od-cetiriju-najtoplijih-godina-u-povijesti/2854823.aspx) — 2026 Could Be One of the Four Warmest Years on Record
- [vecernji.ba](https://vecernji.ba/vijesti/planet-kljuca-rekordi-paduju-2026-na-putu-da-postane-jedna-od-najtoplijih-u-povijesti-2011772) — PLANET OF THE KEY, RECORDS FALLING: 2026 on Track to Become One of the Warmest in History
- [Saudi Gazette](https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/666105/world/scientists-say-2026-hottest-year-on-record-as-climate-talks-begin-in-turkey) — Scientists say 2026 hottest year on record as climate talks begin in Turkey
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/this-year-set-to-be-one-of-four-hottest-on-record-un-report-says) — This year set to be one of four hottest on record, UN report says
- [srpskainfo.com](https://srpskainfo.com/magazin/najtoplija-godina-u-istoriji-je-2026) — "Every Indicator Here Tells the Same Story" 2026 Will Be One of the Hottest Years on Record
- [belta.by](https://belta.by/world/view/el-ninjo-povysit-globalnuju-temperaturu-do-nachala-2027-goda-vmo-810009-2026) — El Niño Will Increase Global Temperature Before the Beginning of 2027
- [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/dunya-haberleri/dunya-meteoroloji-orgutu-raporu-2026-kayitlara-gecen-en-sicak-4-yildan-2083118) — World Meteorological Organization Report: 2026 Will Be One of the Four Warmest Years on Record.
- [nsuzivo.rs](https://nsuzivo.rs/region-i-svet/un-ova-godina-ce-verovatno-biti-jedna-od-cetiri-najtoplije-od-kada-se-vrse-merenja) — UN: This Year Is Likely to Be One of the Four Warmest on Record
- [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/uzlet/20261109/beindult-a-veszelyes-folyamat-rendkivuli-forrosagot-hozhat-a-jovo-ev-875058) — The Dangerous Process Has Begun, Next Year Could Bring Extreme Heat
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-11-09/the-world-will-be-exceptionally-hot-in-coming-months-wmo-says) — The World Will Be Exceptionally Hot in Coming Months, WMO Says
- [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/news/this-year-set-to-be-one-of-four-hottest-on-record-un-report-says/article71681796.ece) — This year set to be one of four hottest on record, UN report says
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/11/09/un-el-nino-hors-norme-entre-en-collision-avec-une-planete-deja-surchauffee-2026-sera-l-une-des-annees-les-plus-chaudes-jamais-enregistrees_6808623_3244.html) — "An Out-of-Standard El Niño Collisions with an Already Overheated Planet": 2026 Will Be One of the Warmest Years Ever Recorded
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/scientists-warn-super-el-nino-is-supercharging-extreme-weather) — Scientists Warn Super El Niño Is Supercharging Extreme Weather
- [조선일보](https://chosun.com/national/transport-environment/2026/11/09/SEBGFQIJSJEWJGQTFXACDNGPQU) — WMO: “This Year’s Global Temperature Likely to Rank Among the Top 4 on Record Due to Unprecedented El Niño”
- [Jornal Expresso](https://expresso.pt/sustentabilidade/crise-climatica/2026-11-09-planeta-mantem-se-febril-e-2026-e-um-dos-anos-mais-quentes-de-sempre-alerta-onu-8b45f091) — Planet Remains Feverish and 2026 Is One of the Hottest Years Ever, UN Alert
- [INTELLINEWS](https://intelli.news/2026/11/09/scientists-predict-2026-hottest-year-on-record-as-climate-talks-begin) — Scientists Predict 2026 Hottest Year on Record as Climate Talks Begin
- [Dnoticias](https://dnoticias.pt/2026/11/9/512178-relatorio-alerta-que-2026-sera-um-dos-quatro-anos-mais-quentes-de-que-ha-registo) — Report Warns that 2026 Will Be One of the Four Warmest Years of Which There Is Registration
- [suedtirolnews.it](https://suedtirolnews.it/politik/erderwaermung-2026-erneut-dicht-an-15-grad-2) — Global Warming 2026 Again Close to 1.5 Degrees
- [rfj.ch](https://rfj.ch/rfj/Actualite/Monde/20261109-L-annee-2026-sera-parmi-les-quatre-plus-chaudes-selon-l-ONU.html) — The Year 2026 Will Be Among the Four Warmest According to the UN
- [sondakika.com](https://sondakika.com/guncel/haber-wmo-ya-gore-son-12-yil-en-sicak-yillar-oldu-2026-i-20409051) — According to the WMO, the Last 12 Years Have Been the Warmest on Record, with 2026 Expected to Be Among the Top Four - Breaking News.
- [efeverde.com](https://efeverde.com/onu-la-temperatura-global-en-2026-se-situa-147-c-sobre-la-media-y-podria-aumentar-en-2027) — UN: Global Temperature at 2026 Is 1.47 °C Above Average and Could Increase by 2027
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/sustainability/cop/this-year-set-be-one-four-hottest-record-un-report-says-2026-11-09) — This year set to be one of four hottest on record, UN report says
- [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/11/09/2026-set-to-be-one-of-four-hottest-year-on-record-un-report-says) — 2026 set to be one of four hottest year on record, UN report says
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16271747/Super-El-Nino-supercharging-weather-experts-warn.html) — Super El Niño is'supercharging our weather', scientists warn
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/onu-temperatura-global-en-2026-se-situa-147-c-sobre-la-media-y-podria-aumentar-en-2027) — UN: Global Temperature at 2026 Is 1.47 °C Above Average and Could Increase by 2027
- [BNR Nieuwsradio](https://bnr.nl/nieuws/duurzaamheid/10615027/2026-wordt-een-van-de-warmste-jaren-ooit-dankzij-el-nino) — 2026 Will Be One of the Warmest Years Ever Thanks to El Niño.
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3080819/relatorio-da-cop31-aponta-2026-como-um-dos-quatro-anos-mais-quentes) — COP31 Report Points 2026 as One of the Warmest Four Years
- [한겨레](https://hani.co.kr/arti/science/science_general/1286452.html) — World Meteorological Organization: “Strong El Niño Will Cause Extreme Weather Events Until Next Year”
- [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/world/cop31-climate-summit-antalya-wmo-global-warming-report-2026-10956207) — COP31: 2026 could end up as one of the four warmest years ever
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/11/year-set-be-one-four-hottest-record-un-report-says) — This year set to be one of four hottest on record, UN report says
- [Tiroler Tageszeitung Online](https://tt.com/artikel/30946462/erderwaermung-2026-erneut-dicht-an-1-5-grad) — Global Warming 2026 Again Close to 1.5 Degrees

## Questions

**What is the global average surface temperature for 2026?**

For the period of January to September 2026, the global average surface temperature was approximately 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Experts suggest this figure is likely to increase by the end of the year due to the warming effect of El Niño.

**When and where is COP31 taking place?**

The UN climate summit, COP31, is taking place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026. Leaders and climate representatives are gathering to discuss climate commitments, emissions, and funding for global warming effects.

**What is the significance of the WMO's climate report?**

The World Meteorological Organization reported that 2026 is on track to be one of the hottest years on record. It also stated that the last 12 years have been the warmest on record, with the past four years being the top four, indicating an accelerating trend of global warming.

---

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