The scientific proof continues to pile up that manmade global warming is very real and is leading to dramatic changes in climate patterns. As further proof of the import of this extremely serious problem, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the month of June 2015 was the hottest month on record worldwide.
More on global warming leading to hottest month and hottest six months on record
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information reports that the average temperature for the most recent six-month period ending in June was 0.85°C (1.53°F) above the 20th century average of 15.5°C (59.9°F), breaking the previous record set in 2010 by 0.09°C (0.16°F).
The average global sea surface temperature of +0.65°C (+1.17°F) for the year-to-date was the highest for a first half on record, moving past the prior record of 2010 by 0.04°C (0.07°F). The average land surface temperature of +1.40°C (2.52°F) for the first half of the year was also record high, topping the earlier record of 2007 by 0.13°C (0.23°F).
The NOAA report noted that nearly all global land areas were notably warmer than average. This includes nearly all of Eurasia, South America, Africa, and western North America, with record-setting heat across many of these areas. The entire continent of Australia was well above average for the month.
The combined average temperature for both land and ocean surfaces worldwide for June 2015 was the highest on record, a solid 0.88°C (1.58°F) above the 20th century average of 15.5°C (59.9°F). Keep in mind that records date all the way back to 1880.
Of note, the Tokyo Climate Center (which uses slightly different temperature observation methods/locations) reported that the global average surface temperature in June 2015 was only +0.76°C above the 20th century average.
2015 is on pace to be the hottest year ever as June 2015 is the third month this year that has smashed its temperature record (in addition to March and May). Moreover, NOAA data shows that all of the other months of 2015 were very close to setting heat records: January and February were each second warmest for their respective months and this April was the fourth warmest ever.
