Switzerland has experienced its warmest December since the country began keeping records 150 years ago, according to the federal office of meteorology and climatology. Stephan Bader, a MeteoSwiss official, told The Guardian that clear skies and dry ground have seen the Alpine nation end the year 3.4 degrees Celsius above the historical average for December. He added that the warmer temperatures are especially pronounced at higher altitudes.

The World Meteorological Organisation had said last month that 2015 will be the warmest on record and 2016 could be even warmer due to the El Niño weather pattern. It warned that inaction on climate change could see global temperatures rise by six degrees Celsius or more.