The global mean temperature for September through November, 1999, was well above the long-term average, based on preliminary data. In fact, for nearly season since the late 1970's , the global mean combined land and ocean temperature has been above the long-term (1880-1998) mean. Even so, this 3-month global mean temperature was considerably cooler than the record warmth experienced in September through November of 1997, largely due to cooler sea surface temperatures this year. See the Global Analysis and Global Regional Analysis pages for more details on the global climate.
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Based on preliminary data, average total precipitation for the contiguous U.S. for the period September through November 1999 was well below the long-term average, falling below the long-term average for the first time in 8 years. This line graph shows departures from the 1895-1998 mean. The smoothed curved line is a nine-point binomial filter which shows the decadal-scale variations. See the U.S. National Analysis and U.S. Regional / Statewide Analyses pages for more details on the U.S. climate.
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Extreme EventsDuring the September-November 1999 period, several areas of the world experienced extremes in climate. The worst disaster in terms of human misery was the two typhoons that struck Eastern India and Bangladesh in October. New reports estimate that 10,000 people died in that tragedy. Elsewhere around the globe, drought, heatwaves and floods took their toll on various areas. |