WEATHER and climate extremes have continued into 2017, after last year saw record breaking temperatures, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has said.

Global average temperatures were 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels in 2016, slightly above the previous record set in 2015, according to an annual statement on the state of the global climate.

Oceans were unusually warm, global sea levels rose sharply, Arctic sea ice was well below average for most of the year and severe droughts hit southern and eastern Africa and Central America.

Extreme conditions have continued into 2017, with the Arctic experiencing the “Polar equivalent of a heatwave” at least three times this winter, while Antarctic sea ice has been at a record low.

Changes in the Arctic have influenced weather in other parts of the world, with balmy weather in Canada and the US and unusually cold conditions in parts of the Arabian peninsula and North Africa.

Prolonged and extreme heat hit parts of Australia in January and February.

World Climate Research Programme director David Carlson said: “We are seeing other remarkable changes across the planet that are challenging the limits of our understanding of the climate system. We are now in truly uncharted territory.”

WMO secretary general Petteri Taalas said: “This report confirms that the year 2016 was the warmest on record – a remarkable 1.1°C above the pre-industrial period, which is 0.06C above the previous record set in 2015.

“This increase in global temperature is consistent with other changes occurring in the climate system.”

He added: “With levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere consistently breaking new records, the influence of human activities on the climate system has become more and more evident.”

Global sea ice dropped more than four million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles) below average in November.

Arctic sea ice saw its lowest maximum cover at the end of winter in records dating back to 1979.

Sea levels rose 15mm from November 2014 to a new record high in February 2016 - much higher than the recent trend of 3-3.5mm a year.

Seas were also very warm, contributing to significant coral bleaching.

Southern Africa begin 2016 in severe drought, while 2016 was the driest on record over the Amazon Basin and there was drought in north east Brazil.