September Global Temperatures Well Above Average; Year To Date Tied For Record Warmest

As was true for the United States in September 2010, temperatures were also well above average globally. The preliminary analysis posted today by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center shows that September temperatures were "tied with 1998 as the eighth warmest on record." The combined land and ocean average temperature was 0.50°C (0.90°F) above the 20th century average of 15.0°C (59.0°F). September temperatures have now been above the climatological average for over 30 consecutive years.

For the year to date, the global land and ocean temperature departure of 0.65°C (1.17°F) is tied with 1998 as the warmest on record.

Much warmer than average temperatures dominated many land areas in September. Notable exceptions were western Canada, central Europe, western Siberia, and western Australia, which were cooler than average. Most of the Atlantic, Indian, and western Pacific oceans were above average, but the Equatorial and eastern Pacific were below average, reflecting a developing moderate La Niña condition. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, "La Niña is expected to last at least into the Northern Hemisphere spring 2011."

Images (click to enlarge): September 2010 global temperature departures from average, historical September departures since 1880, January-September 2010 departures; from NOAA/NCDC