Scientists Link Recent Global Warming Surge to Decline in Low-Altitude Clouds

New research identifies record-low planetary albedo in 2023 as a key factor driving unexpected temperature increases.

Global temperatures in 2023 reached unprecedented levels, nearing 1.5°C above preindustrial averages, with 2024 possibly exceeding this threshold.
Researchers identified a 0.2°C warming gap that could not be explained by greenhouse gases, El Niño, or other known factors alone.
A study by the Alfred Wegener Institute attributes the gap to a decline in low-altitude clouds, which reflect sunlight and help cool the planet.
Planetary albedo, a measure of Earth's reflectivity, hit its lowest point since at least 1940, exacerbating global warming trends.
The findings suggest that global warming may be accelerating faster than anticipated, potentially reducing the carbon budget needed to meet Paris Agreement targets.