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Global temperatures in 2010

Record or near-record year

The year 2010 is among the warmest since the beginning of instrumental climate records in 1850. The exact ranking depends on the data sources considered. However, the WMO, the Met Office (UK) and NASA do agree that 2010 ranks in the top three warmest years. The record or near-record temperatures in 2010 are particularly noteworthy, because the last half of the year was marked by a transition to strong La Niña conditions, which bring cool sea surface temperatures to the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Teaser: Global temperatures in 2010
Image: Credit: NASA/Earth Observatory/R.Simmon

For further information please read the following press releases:

2010 - a near-record year
According to the temperature figures of the Met Office and the University of East Anglia, the year 2010 was the second warmest year on record with a global temperature anomaly of 0.5 °C compared to the long-term average.

Met Office: Press release, 20 January 2011

2010 in the top three warmest years, 2001-2010 warmest 10-year period
According to the data sources compiled by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), global temperatures in 2010 appear to be the highest on record, just ahead of 1998 and 2005.

WMO: Press release No. 904

NASA research finds 2010 tied for warmest year on record
NASA research finds that global surface temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest on record. According to a NASA analysis, the difference between the two years is smaller than the uncertainty in comparing the temperatures of recent years, putting them into a statistical tie.

NASA: Research News, 12 January 2011

Categories

  • Temperature
  • Variability