The maps below are a product of a merged land surface and sea surface temperature anomaly analysis. Temperature anomalies with respect to the 1971-2000 mean for land and ocean are analyzed separately and then merged to form the global analysis. Note that BLUE is BELOW normal and RED is ABOVE normal. The maps were "dot" maps through June 2012. The size of the dot is proportional to the magnitude of the anomaly. Temperature anomalies are noted in degrees Centigrade. The maps were converted to a color shading format in July 2012. The intensity of the color shows the magnitude of the anomaly. The maps and data analysis are from the National Climatic Data Center. This page was produced within the Applied Climate Science Group of the School of Natural Resources, UNL.
The global data set has 134 years of data (1880-2013). Scroll down to see all of the months for Year 2013.
NOTE: Short summaries for each month are found below the last map.
MONTHLY SUMMARIES:
DECEMBER 2013 Global Highlights:
- The average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for December 2013 was the third highest for December since records began in 1880, at 0.64°C (1.15°F) above the 20th century average of 12.2°C (54.0°F).
- The globally-averaged land surface temperature for December 2013 tied with 1998 as the fifth highest for December on record, at 1.16°C (2.09°F) above average. The globally-averaged ocean surface temperature tied with 2004 as the seventh highest for December on record, at 0.46°C (0.83°F) above average.
- The average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for January–December 2013 tied with 2003 as the fourth warmest such period on record, at 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the 20th century average.
NOVEMBER 2013 Global Highlights:
- The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for November 2013 was record highest for the 134-year period of record, at 0.78°C (1.40°F) above the 20th century average of 12.9°C (55.2°F).
- The global land surface temperature was 1.43°C (2.57°F) above the 20th century average of 5.9°C (42.6°F), the second highest for November on record, behind 2010. For the global oceans, the November average sea surface temperature was 0.54°C (0.97°F) above the 20th century average of 15.8°C (60.4°F), tying with 2009 as the third highest for November.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the September–November period was 0.68°C (1.22°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.1°F), the second warmest such period on record, behind only 2005.
- The September–November worldwide land surface temperature was 1.08°C (1.94°F) above the 20th century average, the third warmest such period on record. The global ocean surface temperature for the same period was 0.52°C (0.94°F) above the 20th century average, tying with 2009 and 2012 as the fourth warmest September–November on record.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the year-to-date (January–November) was 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.2°F), tying with 2002 as the fourth warmest such period on record.
OCTOBER 2013 Global Highlights:
- October marked the 37th consecutive October and 344th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last below-average temperature for October was October 1976 and the last below-average temperature for any month was February 1985.
- The global land temperature was the eighth warmest October on record, at 1.76°F (0.98°C) above the 20th century average. The margin of error is ±0.22°F (0.12°C).
- Some national highlights are included below:
- For the 15th consecutive month (since August 2012), Australia experienced above-average temperatures. The nationally averaged October maximum temperature was the third warmest on record with a departure from the 1961–1990 average of +3.8°F. Minimum temperatures were also above average, but did not rank among the top 10 warmest on record. The mean national temperature was 2.57°F above average-the seventh warmest since national temperature records began in 1910.
- Spain experienced warm temperatures during October, with an average monthly temperature 3.8°F above the 1971°2000 average. This resulted in the sixth warmest October since national records began in 1961.
- For the ocean, the October global sea surface temperature was 0.90°F (0.50°C), above the 20th century average, the eighth highest for October. The margin of error is ±0.07°F (0.04°C).
- Neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions were present across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean during October. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, neutral conditions are favored through the Northern Hemisphere spring 2014.
SEPTEMBER 2013 Global Highlights:
- The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for September 2013 tied with 2003 as the fourth highest for September on record, at 0.64°C (1.15°F) above the 20th century average of 15.0°C (59.0°F).
- The global land surface temperature was 0.89°C (1.60°F) above the 20th century average of 12.0°C (53.6°F), marking the sixth warmest September on record. For the ocean, the September global sea surface temperature was 0.54°C (0.97°F) above the 20th century average of 16.2°C (61.1°F), tying with 2006 as the fourth highest for September on record.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–September period (year-to-date) was 0.60°C (1.08°F) above the 20th century average of 14.1°C (57.5°F), tying with 2003 as the sixth warmest such period on record.
AUGUST 2013 Global Highlights:
- The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for August 2013 tied with 2005 as the fourth highest in the 1880–2013 record, at 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the 20th century average of 15.6°C (60.1°F).
- The global land surface temperature was 0.77°C (1.39°F) above the 20th century average of 13.8°C (56.9°F), the 11th warmest August on record. For the global oceans, the August average sea surface temperature was 0.57°C (1.03°F) above the 20th century average of 16.4°C (61.4°F), tying with 1998, 2003, 2005, and 2009 as the record highest for August.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the June–August period was 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the 20th century average of 15.6°C (60.1°F), tying with 2009 as the fifth warmest such period on record.
- The June–August worldwide land surface temperature was 0.85°C (1.53°F) above the 20th century average, the seventh warmest such period on record. The global ocean surface temperature for the same period was 0.53°C (0.95°F) above the 20th century average, the fifth warmest June–August on record.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the year-to-date (January–August) was 0.59°C (1.06°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.3°F), tying with 2003 as the sixth warmest such period on record.
JULY 2013 Global Highlights:
- The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for July 2013 was the sixth highest on record, at 0.61°C (1.10°F) above the 20th century average of 15.8°C (60.4°F).
- The global land surface temperature was 0.78°C (1.40°F) above the 20th century average of 14.3°C (57.8°F), marking the eighth warmest July on record. For the ocean, the July global sea surface temperature was 0.54°C (0.97°F) above the 20th century average of 16.4°C (61.5°F), the fifth warmest July on record.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–July period (year-to-date) was 0.59°C (1.06°F) above the 20th century average of 13.8°C (56.9°F), tying with 2003 as the sixth warmest such period on record.
JUNE 2013 Global Highlights:
- The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces tied with 2006 as the fifth highest on record for June at 61.05°F (16.14°C), or 1.15°F (0.64°C), above the 20th century average of 59.9°F (15.5°C). The margin of error associated with this temperature is +/- 0.14°F (0.08°C).
- The June global land temperature was the third highest on record, at 1.89°F (1.05°C) above the 20th century average of 55.9°F (13.3°C). The margin of error is +/- 0.25°F (0.14°C).
- Some national temperature highlights include:
- June was warmer than average across all of Japan, with temperatures ranging from 0.5°F to 2.5°F (0.3°C to 1.4°C) above the 1981-2010 average. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Hokuriku and the southern island of Okinawa had temperatures that were significantly above average.
- Much of Croatia was warmer than the 1961-1990 average. Scattered areas in the northwestern part of the country were "very warm" (falling in the 91st-98th percentile), according to Drzavni Hirometeoroloski Zavod.
- The United Kingdom temperature was 0.4°F (0.2°C) below the long-term average for June; however, it was also the warmest June since 2010. In England, East Anglia observed its coolest June since 1995.
- Spain observed its coolest June since 1997, with the average monthly temperature 0.5°F (0.3°C) below the 1971-2000 average. The north-central region of the country had temperatures up to 4°F (2°C) below average.
- For the ocean, the June global sea surface temperature was 0.86°F (0.48°C) above the 20th century average of 61.5°F (16.4°C), the 10th warmest for June on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.07°F (0.04°C).
- Continuing a pattern that has persisted for more than a year, neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions were present across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean during June, with sea surface temperatures below average across the eastern half of the equatorial Pacific. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, neutral conditions are favored over the next few months.
The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for May 2013 tied with 1998 and 2005 as the third warmest on record, at 0.66°C (1.19°F) above th
MAY 2013 Global Highlights:
The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for May 2013 tied with 1998 and 2005 as the third warmest on record, at 0.66°C (1.19°F) above the 20th century average of 14.8°C (58.6°F).
The global land surface temperature was 1.11°C (2.00°F) above the 20th century average of 11.1°C (52.0°F), also the third warmest May on record. For the ocean, the May global sea surface temperature was 0.49°C (0.88°F) above the 20th century average of 16.3°C (61.3°F), tying with 2003 and 2009 as the fifth warmest May on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the March–May period was 0.59°C (1.06°F) above the 20th century average of 13.7°C (56.7°F), tying with 2004 as the eighth warmest such period on record.
The March–May worldwide land surface temperature was 0.97°C (1.75°F) above the 20th century average, the 11th warmest such period on record. The global ocean surface temperature for the same period was 0.45°C (0.81°F) above the 20th century average and tied with 2001 as the seventh warmest such period on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–May period (year-to-date) was 0.59°C (1.06°F) above the 20th century average of 13.1°C (55.5°F), the eighth warmest such period on record.
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April 2013 Global Highlights:
The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for April 2013 was the 13th warmest on record, at 0.52°C (0.94°F) above the 20th century average of 13.7°C (56.7°F).
The global land surface temperature was 0.71°C (1.28°F) above the 20th century average of 8.1°C (46.5°F), marking the 17th warmest April on record. For the ocean, the April global sea surface temperature was 0.44°C (0.79°F) above the 20th century average of 16.0°C (60.9°F), tying with 2001 and 2009 as the seventh warmest April on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–April period (year-to-date) was 0.56°C (1.01°F) above the 20th century average of 12.6°C (54.8°F), tying with 2009 as the eighth warmest such period on record.
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MARCH 2013 Global Highlights:
The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for March 2013 tied with 2006 as the 10th warmest on record, at 0.58°C (1.04°F) above the 20th century average of 12.3°C (54.1°F).
The global land surface temperature was 1.06°C (1.91°F) above the 20th century average of 5.0°C (40.8°F), the 11th warmest March on record. For the ocean, the March global sea surface temperature was 0.41°C (0.74°F) above the 20th century average of 15.9°C (60.7°F), making it the ninth warmest March on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–March period (year-to-date) was 0.58°C (1.04°F) above the 20th century average of 12.3°C (54.1°F), the eighth warmest such period on record.
MARCH 2013 Summary:
The globally-averaged temperature across the world's land and ocean surfaces was 0.58°C (1.04°F) above the 20th century average of 12.7°C (54.9°F), tying with 2006 as the 10th warmest March since records began in 1880. Both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres were also 10th warmest for March. Globally, land surface temperatures were 1.06°C (1.91°F) above average (11th warmest on record), but there were some marked temperature anomaly differences around the world. The Arctic Oscillation (AO), a large-scale climate pattern that can influence temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, was strongly negative during the month, and in fact reached a monthly-averaged record low for March. This negative phase was associated with frigid Arctic air spilling southward into the Northern Hemisphere middle latitudes. Particularly, it was either cooler or much cooler than average across the eastern half of the United States as well as most of Europe, European Russia, and northern Siberia, according to the Global Land & Ocean Temperature Percentiles map above. Parts of northeastern Europe and western Russia observed temperatures that were at least 5°C (9°F) lower than average. This phase of the AO also contributed to much warmer than average and even record warm temperatures in northeastern Canada and southeastern Greenland. A large swath of China also saw record warm temperatures. Parts of these regions were at least 5°C (9°F) above average. Additionally, several regions in central and northern Africa in the 0°–20°N latitude belt were record warm. Overall, the 20°N–20°S global tropical latitude belt was the third warmest on record for that region during March, at 1.18°C (2.12°F) above average. Most of northern Africa, along with northern South America and northern Australia, were also much warmer than average. In the Southern Hemisphere, Argentina observed temperatures that were cooler to much cooler than average.
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FEBRUARY 2013 Global Highlights:
The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for February 2013 tied with 2003 as the ninth warmest on record, at 0.57°C (1.03°F) above the 20th century average of 12.1°C (53.9°F).
The global land surface temperature was 1.00°C (1.80°F) above the 20th century average of 3.2°C (37.8°F), tying with 2010 as the 11th warmest February on record. For the ocean, the February global sea surface temperature was 0.42°C (0.76°F) above the 20th century average of 15.9°C (60.6°F), making it the eighth warmest February on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the December–February period was 0.51°C (0.92°F) above the 20th century average of 12.1°C (53.8°F), making it the 12th warmest such period on record.
The December–February worldwide land surface temperature was 0.71°C (1.28°F) above the 20th century average, tying with 1992 as the 15th warmest such period on record. The global ocean surface temperature for the same period was 0.43°C (0.77°F) above the 20th century average and was the eighth warmest such period on record.
The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January–February period (year-to-date) was 0.56°C (1.01°F) above the 20th century average of 12.1°C (53.8°F), tying with 2005 as the ninth warmest such period on record.
February 2013 SUMMARY:
According to NOAA scientists, the globally-averaged temperature for February 2013 tied with 2003 as the ninth warmest February since record keeping began in 1880. It also marked the 28th consecutive February and 336th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last below-average February temperature and the last below-average temperature for any month was February 1985.
Many areas of the world experienced higher-than-average monthly temperatures, including eastern Europe, western Russia, the Middle East, much of Canada, and southern Greenland. Meanwhile, northern and western Alaska, far northwestern Canada, a large swath of the contiguous United States, western Europe, northwestern Africa, Siberia, Mongolia, and most of the eastern Pacific Ocean were notably below average.
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JANUARY 2013 Global Highlights:
The average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for January 2013 tied with 1995 as the ninth warmest January since records began in 1880, at 0.54°C (0.97°F) above the 20th century average of 12.0°C (53.6°F).
The globally-averaged land surface temperature for January 2013 was the 13th warmest January on record, at 0.90°C (1.62°F) above average. The average land surface temperature across the Southern Hemisphere was record warm for the month.
The globally-averaged ocean surface temperature was the eighth warmest January on record, at 0.41°C (0.74°F) above average.
January 2013 SUMMARY:
The average global temperature across land and ocean surfaces was 0.54°C (0.97°F) above the 20th century average, marking the ninth warmest January since records began in 1880. The average global land surface temperature was 0.90°C (1.62°F) above the long-term average, ranking as the 13th warmest January on record. Temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere ranged from cooler than average across regions that included much of the western United States, northern Canada, and parts of northern Russia to much warmer than average across southern Greenland, Iceland, Central America, northern South America, and parts of the Middle East. Overall, the Northern Hemisphere land was 0.82°C (1.48°F) above average and ranked as the 21st warmest on record for January. The Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, was record warm over land for the second month in a row, at 1.10°C (1.98°F) above the 20th century average. Record high monthly temperatures were observed over northeastern Brazil, much of southern Africa, and northern and central Australia. No land areas in the Southern Hemisphere were cooler than average..