January 2017 Third-Warmest Global January On Record

[hatrack]

While a powerful El Niño has faded, the globe’s heat continues to be an enduring phenomenon due largely to carbon pollution. This January was the third-warmest January on record, according to data released this week from both NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The agencies use different baselines and techniques to measure the Earth’s temperature. NASA’s data shows the planet was 1.7°F above the 1951-1980 average while NOAA’s data indicates the planet was 1.6°F above the 20th century average.


Data show large parts of Eurasia, North America and the Arctic were extremely warm for January.
Credit: NASA

Both datasets show largely similar patterns of warm and cold spots. The eastern half of North America and parts of Russia and China were all well above normal for this time of year while Europe and the western U.S. were on the cooler side.

The real planetary hot spot was the Arctic, though. NASA’s analysis includes the region, which was blistering by January standards. Large areas saw temperatures that were up to 9°F above normal. The heat has continued into February with another wave of air up to 50°F above normal reaching the North Pole in the past week.

EDIT

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/january-third-warmest-global-21169

[In_The_Wind]

1. The Willow Trees are showing signs of an early Spring in the Hudson Valley of New York.