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2006 was the Earth's sixth warmest year on record, averaging 0.4°C above the 1961 to 1990 average, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The records extend back to 1861. And the UK charted its warmest year ever – its records go back to 1659.
Advance figures for the Status of the Global Climate in 2006, released on Thursday, reveal that global temperatures have risen by 0.7°C since 1900. Most of this is due to a sharp rise (0.18°C per decade) since 1976. Final figures will be released in March 2007.
The report also finds that virtually no corner of the planet was spared from extreme weather events in 2006, many of which were record-breaking.
The US experienced its warmest January to September on record, and July in Europe was also the warmest on record, nearly 3°C above the norm. In the southern hemisphere, Brazil and Australia also experienced heat waves between January and March. The town of Bom Jesus in Brazil recorded 44.6°C on 31 January – one of the highest temperatures ever in the country.
2006 Was Earth's Sixth Warmest Year on Record
Article Source: New Scientist- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (3)
Obviously not final numbers, but enough to clearly support the trend that the planet isn't going to cool off on its own anytime soon.
#1 - Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:57 PM ESTNo you're definitely not losing it. Compared to the title alone, my comment does sound pretty bone-headed and I should have been more specific. I was considered many of the more regional points in the story. I suppose one could look at this as the beginning of some sort of 'cooling' period as well and while I certainly wish that is the case, I doubt it will happen.
Remember, the five warmest years have all been in the last five years and the hottest 20 years have all been in the two decades, save for 1983 and 1944. The difference here is really just noise in the signal and some natural variability that is to be expected.
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