Rise in temperature primarily because of warm ocean waters
.jpg "Nine of the 10 hottest Junes were recorded in the 21st century (Photo: NOAA)")
The world is getting hotter by the day. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average global temperature in June was 16.2°C, which is 0.72°C higher that the 20th century average. This includes the average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces. The situation was similar in May. In fact, the last two months recorded the hottest temperatures since record-keeping began in 1880.
Bloomberg reports that nine of the 10 hottest Junes were recorded in the 21st century, including each of the last five years. Every month of 2014, except February, has ranked among the four warmest on record for that respective month.
Heat records in June were broken on every continent apart from Antarctica, especially in New Zealand, northern South America, Greenland, central Africa and southern Asia. Cools spots were limited, mostly in Alaska.
The land surface temperatures in June were not as scorching; it was the ocean surface temperature that tipped the scales. NOAA chief Derek Arndt told The Guardian that the heat record was driven by unusually hot oceans, especially the Pacific and Indian Oceans. According to the Scientific American, June 2014 represented a significant milestone for the world’s oceans. Not only was it the hottest June for oceans since 1880, but it recorded the warmest ocean temperature for any month.
El Niño, a yet-to-form weather phenomenon characterised by warm waters in the eastern tropical Pacific, could ratchet up global temperatures even further by year end. Weather forecasters predict a 75 per cent chance of the formation of El Niño, which could make the year end on a hot note.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.