February 2022 was the seventh-warmest February since the beginning of records — 0.81 degree Celsius above the 20th century average. It was also the 458th consecutive month since temperature anomalies was normal or below normal.
North America was the only continent to experience below-average temperatures in February, according to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
It was the eighth-warmest February for Asia, Europe and South America.
Meteorologically, December through February was also the sixth-warmest winter for the northern hemisphere; it was the seventh-warmest summer on record for the southern hemisphere.
The report also noted that the sea ice extent in Antarctica for the month of February was the smallest on record — 8,30,000 square miles or 29 per cent below average thereby breaking the record for the month of February that was set back in 2017.
In the Arctic, the February 2022 sea ice extent was 4.5 percent below average and was the 14th-smallest in44 years of record-keeping.
The report also pointed out extreme-weather activities for the month of February and observed above-average cyclone activities for the month. In February, NOAA reported eight storms, four of which intensified into hurricanes.
The South India Ocean basin, according to NOAA was a hotbed for cyclonic activities with five storms forming over the ocean basin, tying with February 2000 and 2007 for most storms since 1981.
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