Monthly Climate Reports

Global Climate ReportMarch 2005

Global Highlights:

Based on preliminary data, global averaged combined land and sea surface temperature for March 2005 was 3rd warmest on record.
March temperatures were above average over Alaska, the western U.S, Algeria and Siberia. Colder-than-average conditions occurred primarily in the eastern U.S., southeastern Asia and far western Russia
Precipitation during March was above average over the eastern U.S., Turkey, and Thailand, with drier than average conditions over the Mississippi Valley of the U.S., most of Australia and Europe.
Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) decreased in the eastern equatorial Pacific during March

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

Temperature anomalies for March 2005 are shown on the two maps below. 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 weekly product based on data from the Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) of SST data. During March, there were above average temperatures over Alaska, western Canada and the western U.S., Brazil, the majority of West Africa, western Australia, western Europe and parts of Asia. Cooler than average temperatures were observed over parts of Scandinavia, parts of the Middle East, southeastern Asia, the majority of eastern Europe and west of the Ural Mountains in Russia.

larger image

larger image

Above average SSTs are also evident in the product above. Warmer than average conditions occurred over large parts of the central Pacific, with cool anomalies present in the eastern Pacific, reflecting weakening El Niño conditions. SSTs were also warmer than average in much of the northern Pacific and northern Atlantic. Cooler than average SSTs were observed over areas northwest of the Hawaiian Islands, off the coast of Ecuador and Peru as well as off the eastern seaboard of the U.S.

The mean position of upper level ridges of high pressure and troughs of low pressure (depicted by positive and negative 500 millibar height anomalies on the March 2005 map) are generally reflected by areas of positive and negative temperature anomalies at the surface, respectively. For other Global products see the Climate Monitoring Global Products page.

Images of sea surface temperature conditions are available for all months during 2005 at the weekly SST page

Temperature Rankings and Graphics

Current Month / Year-to-date

March	Anomaly	Rank	Warmest Year on Record
Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.21°C (+2.18°F) +0.43°C (+0.77°F) +0.67°C (+1.21°F)	6th warmest 3rd warmest 3rd warmest	2002 (+1.60°C/2.88°F) 1998 (+0.48°C/0.86°F) 2002 (+0.79°C/1.42°F)
Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.13°C (+2.03°F) +0.42°C (+0.76°F) +0.71°C (+1.28°F)	8th warmest 2nd warmest 7th warmest	1990 (+1.90°C/3.42°F) 1998 (+0.49°C/0.88°F) 2004 (+0.92°C/1.66°F)
Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.35°C (+2.43°F) +0.45°C (+0.81°F) +0.62°C (+1.12°F)	warmest 3rd warmest warmest	2nd-1998 (+1.05°C/1.90°F) 2002 (+0.51°C/0.92°F) 2nd-2002 (+0.59°C/1.06°F)

larger image

larger image

January-March	Anomaly	Rank	Warmest Year on Record
Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.84°C (+1.51°F) +0.44°C (+0.79°F) +0.56°C (+1.01°F)	10th warmest 2nd warmest 4th warmest	2002 (+1.50°C/2.70°F) 1998 (+0.51°C/0.92°F) 2002 (+0.75°C/1.35°F)
Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.77°C (+1.39°F) +0.46°C (+0.83°F) +0.58°C (+1.04°F)	13th warmest 2nd warmest 7th warmest	2002 (+1.84°C/3.31°F) 1998 (+0.53°C/0.95°F) 2002 (+0.95°C/1.71°F)
Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.94°C (+1.70°F) +0.45°C (+0.81°F) +0.54°C (+0.97°F)	warmest 6th warmest 2nd warmest	2nd-1998 (+0.80°C/1.44°F) 1998 (+0.53°C/0.95°F) 1998 (+0.58°C/1.04°F)

larger image

The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.

Precipitation

The maps below represent anomaly values based on the GHCN data set of land surface stations using a base period of 1961-1990. During March 2005, above average precipitation fell over parts of the northeastern and southeastern U.S, Chile, Bangladesh, Indochina and western Russia. Below average precipitation was observed over the east-central region of the U.S., the majority of Europe, most of Australia, and South Africa.

larger image

larger image

ENSO SST Analysis

the last week of the month's ENSO condtions Map

Click here for animated loop

SSTs decreased in the eastern equatorial Pacific during March, indicating that ENSO is transitioning from a weak warm phase (El Niño) to neutral conditions (shown in the adjacent animation of weekly sea surface temperature anomalies). A comprehensive summary of March 2005 ENSO conditions can be found on the ENSO monitoring page. For the latest advisory on ENSO conditions go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and the CPC ENSO Diagnostic Discussion
Images of sea surface temperature conditions are available for all months during 2005 at the weekly SST page

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.

Global Climate ReportMarch 2005

Global Highlights:

Contents of this Section:

Introduction

Temperature Rankings and Graphics

Precipitation

ENSO SST Analysis

References

Success

Error