Historic Temperature Records Under Threat
Stykkishólmur, a town in western Iceland, is on the verge of recording its warmest year since temperature measurements commenced nearly two centuries ago. The final average temperature for December 2025 will be the determining factor in whether this historic benchmark is reached.
The town boasts Iceland's longest uninterrupted series of temperature observations, a dataset that spans 180 years. This invaluable archive began in 1845 when local official Árni Thorlacius initiated daily weather documentation through handwritten journals. These records have established Stykkishólmur as a pivotal location for long-term climate monitoring in Iceland, with only a few other European stations possessing comparable historical data.
2025: A Year of Elevated Temperatures
The year 2025 has already seen significant temperature anomalies in Stykkishólmur and across Iceland. May 2025 was particularly notable, registering as the warmest May on record in many parts of the country, including Stykkishólmur. During this month, Stykkishólmur recorded an all-time May temperature record of 20.5°C on May 17, based on 174 years of data. The average temperature for the first 22 days of May 2025 in Stykkishólmur was also the highest ever recorded for that specific period. Additionally, July 2025 brought further record-breaking temperatures across Iceland.
Long-Term Warming Trend
Prior to 2025, the warmest year on record for Stykkishólmur was 2003, which saw an average daily high temperature of 8.4 °C and an average low of 3.3 °C. Over the past two centuries, the temperature in Stykkishólmur has shown a consistent increase, rising at a rate of approximately +0.7°C per century. This trend mirrors the broader temperature increase observed across the Northern Hemisphere during the same period.
Official Confirmation Awaited
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) is expected to release the confirmed annual average temperature for Stykkishólmur early next year. This official announcement will confirm whether 2025 has indeed surpassed all previous records to become the warmest year in the town's extensive meteorological history.
5 Comments
Bella Ciao
While the long-term trend is concerning and points to warming, it's important to remember that local records can be influenced by many factors beyond just global climate change. Still, the overall picture is worrying.
Muchacha
It's hard to ignore the consistent temperature rise over centuries in Stykkishólmur. Yet, attributing every single record-breaking year solely to anthropogenic climate change might oversimplify complex environmental dynamics.
Bermudez
Devastating news, but not surprising given global trends.
Africa
The historical data is impressive, and a record-warm year is noteworthy. However, we should also consider short-term weather patterns and oceanic currents that can cause temporary spikes, even within a warming climate.
ZmeeLove
The data doesn't lie. This is truly alarming.