NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information
Global Highlights:
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Contents of this Section: |
The data presented in this report are preliminary. Ranks and anomalies may change as more complete data are received and processed. The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
Introduction
| The two maps below
utilize different base periods and may reflect different anomaly
values of land surface temperatures. The dot map on the left uses
anomalies that were calculated from the Global Historical
Climatology Network (GHCN) data set of land surface stations using
a 1961-1990 base period. The map on the right is a blended product
which uses satellite and surface anomaly values of measured land
and ocean temperatures as well as SSTs with the base period of
1988-2004. Both maps indicate above average temperatures in western
Europe, South America and much of Asia while cooler than average
temperatures covered much of Canada, Alaska and the eastern U.S, as
well as Australia and eastern Europe. The mean position of upper level ridges of high pressure and troughs of low pressure (depicted by positive and negative 500 millibar height anomalies) are generally reflected by areas of positive and negative temperature anomalies at the surface, respectively. For all Global map products see the Climate Monitoring Global Products page. |
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| January | Anomaly | Rank | Warmest Year on Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean |
+0.81°C
(+1.46°F) +0.43°C (+0.77°F) +0.54°C (+0.97°F) |
8th warmest 3rd warmest 4th warmest |
2002
(+0.1.42°C/2.56°F) 1998 (+0.54°C/0.97°F) 2002 (+0.73°C/1.31°F) |
| Northern Hemisphere Land and Ocean |
+0.64°C (+1.15°F) | 4th warmest | 2002 (+0.92°C) |
| Southern Hemisphere Land and Ocean |
+0.48°C (+0.86°F) | 6th warmest | 1998 (+0.61°C) |
| 90N-20N Land and Ocean |
+0.69°C (+1.24°F) | 7th warmest | 2002 (+1.21°C) |
| 20N-20S Land and Ocean |
+0.61°C (+1.10°F) | 4th warmest | 1998 (+1.00°C) |
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The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
Precipitation
| The dot maps below represent anomaly values based on the GHCN data set of land surface stations using a base period of 1961-1990. The map on the left is precipitation anomalies measured in millimeters, the map on the right is the percentage of average precipitation as defined by the base period. During January 2004, much above average precipitation fell across the Mississippi Valley in the U.S., most of Europe, Malaysia, most of Brazil and eastern Australia. Below average precipitation was observed in Alaska, northeastern U.S., Argentina, Portugal and Spain. |
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The satellite images below were acquired from the SSM/I satellite using a base period of 1988-2004. The map on the left reflects surface liquid wetness conditions, while the map on the right reflects snow cover conditions for the month. Snow covered areas that are normally snow-free during this month will be appear drier than average on the wetness image since a wetness value cannot be determined for regions that are normally snow covered. Data in these areas that are normally snow covered are displayed as missing. This is due to the snow crystalline structure which produces a considerable amount of scatter and makes it difficult for the SSM/I to accurately read the surface conditions. The SSM/I products are experimental and are under continuing review and development. Additional data and information can be found on the SSM/I Browser.
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ENSO SST Analysis
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References:
Peterson, T.C. and R.S. Vose, 1997: An Overview of the Global
Historical Climatology Network Database. Bull. Amer. Meteorol.
Soc., 78, 2837-2849.