Average sea surface temperature was also record high
A collage of typical climate and weather-related events: heatwaves, drought, hurricanes, wildfires and changes in sea ice coverage. (Image credit: NOAA)
Persistent heat on land and in the sea this June shattered records, yet again.
June 2016 was 1.62 degrees F above the 20th century average, breaking last year’s record for the warmest June on record by 0.04 degrees F, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. NOAA’s global temperature records dates back 137 years to 1880.
For the year to date, the average global temperature was 1.89 degrees F above the 20th century average. This was the highest temperature for this period, surpassing the previous record set in 2015 by 0.36 degrees F.
Some notable events around the world include:
-
The globally averaged sea surface temperature was record high for June and the year-to-date (January–June).
-
The globally averaged land temperature tied as record high for June, making it the 34th consecutive June with temperatures above the 20th century average. The year-to-date (January–June) average temperature was also record high.
-
Much warmer-than-average temperatures contributed to North America’s warmest June since continental records began in 1910.
-
Much warmer-than-average conditions engulfed most of Africa resulting in the second warmest June since 1910 for the continent.
-
The average Arctic sea ice extent for June was 11.4 percent below the 1981–2010 average. This was the smallest June extent since records began in 1979.
-
The average Antarctic sea ice extent for June was 40,000 square miles below the 1981–2010 average, marking the smallest June Antarctic sea ice extent since 2011 and the 13th smallest on record.
More: Find NOAA’s reports and download images by visiting the NCEI website.
