2024 was Earth's hottest year ever, passing major climate threshold: 'Alarm bells have been ringing'

Above: Climate researchers discuss the potential for a "new normal" in terms of higher temperatures and destructive weather events at a NOAA/NASA briefing on Friday.

(AP) – Earth recorded its hottest year ever in 2024, with such a big jump that the planet temporarily passed a major climate threshold, weather monitoring agencies announced Friday.

It's the first time in recorded history that the planet was above a hoped-for limit to warming for an entire year, according to measurements from four of the six teams.