Earth

Globally, June 2013 ranked among top 5 warmest Junes on record

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), June 2013 was tied with 2006 as the fifth-warmest June recorded since record keeping began in 1880. Meanwhile, NASA ranked June 2013 as second-warmest on record. When measuring the average global temperature for a given month, scientists combine the average temperatures across the globe both on land and ocean. According to NCDC, global land surface temperature was 1.05°C (1.89°F) above the 20th century average of 13.3°C (55.9°F), marking the third-warmest June on record. Meanwhile, the June global sea surface temperature was 0.48°C (0.86°F) above the 20th century average of 16.4°C (61.5°F), the 10th warmest June on record. While it could have been cooler where you live, your local coolness in June 2013 did not reflect the warmth of the globe as a whole. With this in mind, here is the big picture about the temperatures and precipitation recorded across the globe for June 2013.

Temperature difference from average during June around the globe. NASA map via Capital Weather Gang.
Temperature difference from average during June around the globe. NASA map via Capital Weather Gang.
This chart tracks springtime snowmelt over the past decades. In April 2013, hefty Northern Hemisphere snow cover ranked 9th highest on record (dating back to 1967), but then turned scant, plummeting to 3rd lowest on record during May. Half of the existing snow melted away. For more on spring snow melt in 2013, see this post from the Capital Weather Gang.
This chart tracks Northern Hemisphere spring extent over the past decades. In April 2013, hefty Northern Hemisphere snow cover ranked 9th highest on record (dating back to 1967), but then the snow turned scant, plummeting to 3rd lowest on record during May. Half the existing snow melted away. For more on the rapid Northern Hemisphere snow melt in 2013, see this post from the Capital Weather Gang.

Who saw above-average temperatures for the month of June 2013? According to NCDC, the spots that had above-average temperatures included much of northern Canada, far northwestern Russia, southern Japan, the Philippines, part of southwestern China, and central southern Africa. Areas that saw below average temperatures included central Asia, central India, western Europe, and far northeastern Canada. In the map above, you can clearly see the spots that were below and above average for the month of June. The June global land temperature was the third-highest on record at 1.89° Fahrenheit above the 20th century average.

January through June land and ocean surface mean temperature anomalies. Bottom line: The Earth is warming. Image Credit: NCDC
January through June land and ocean surface mean temperature anomalies. Image via NCDC

Temperatures across the ocean were also above average, with record warmth observed in parts of the Arctic Seas, part of equatorial western Pacific, the central Sea of Okhotsk, and a region in the central southern Pacific. Meanwhile, temperatures were above average in the western Pacific Ocean. ENSO, or the El Niño Southern Oscillation is still neutral, meaning temperatures are about average across the eastern Pacific with no signs of an El Niño or La Niña forming anytime soon. The June global sea surface temperature was 0.86° Fahrenheit above the 20th century average, making it the 10th warmest June on record.

Global temperatures for June 2013. Blue indicates temperatures below average. Red indicates temperatures above average. Image Credit: NOAA Climate.gov team
Global temperatures for June 2013. Blue indicates temperatures below average. Red indicates temperatures above average. Image via NOAA Climate.gov team
Land precipitation percent of normal for June 2013. Blue colors indicate areas with above average rainfall. Image Credit: NCDC
Land precipitation percent of normal for June 2013. Blue colors indicate areas with above average rainfall. Image via NCDC

The highest rainfall totals with above average precipitation occurred across thee eastern United States, parts of New Zealand, and through much of India. In fact, India had record rainfall that was 27 percent above the 1951–2000 average. According to the NCDC, Northwest India received nearly double (+97 percent) its June average. Parts of northern India received devastating flooding, especially in Uttarakhand. Areas that experienced below average precipitation included southeastern Algeria, eastern Niger, parts of the Ivory Coast and Ghana in Africa, the southwestern United States, parts of eastern Australia, and far northwestern Russia.

Bottom line: June 2013 ranked as the fifth-warmest June recorded since record keeping began in 1880, according to the National Climatic Data Center. The last time we experienced below-average temps for June was back in 1976. If you are younger than 28 years old, you have never experienced a month where global temperature were below the 20th century average.

Posted 
July 20, 2013
 in 
Earth

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