NASA Reports Highest Spring Temperatures on Record as U.S. Senate Debates Climate Change

As Senators debate climate change on Capitol Hill today (10 June 2010),  NASA reports that global surface temperatures this Spring rose to record levels. 

In contrast to the claim today by Senator James Inhofe (Republican, Oklahoma) that  "we are in the eighth year of a cooling period," NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) released data today showing that globally, the combined land-surface air and sea-surface water temperature anomaly for last season (March, April and May) was 0.73°C above the 1951-1980 mean, shattering the previous record of 0.65oC above the mean set in March-May 2002.  The records go back to 1880. 

Surface temperature anomalies, March-April-May 2010 (relative to 1951-1980 mean).  Positive temperature anomalies range from light yellow and orange to red and burgandy.  Note the large positive anomalies in  the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.  Source: NASA GISS.

For the Northern Hemisphere, where it was Spring, record temperatures also were recorded. Spring temperatures rose to 0.96°C above the long term mean, well above the previous record of 0.85°C above the mean set in 2007.  In the Southern Hemisphere, where it was Fall, temperatures reached 0.50oC above the mean, placing the season in second place behind 2002 when temperatures soared to 0.64oC above the mean.

For May 2010, NASA reports that the month tied 1998 as the hottest on record globally.  It was the hottest May on record for the Northern Hemisphere, with surface temperatures 0.81oC above the mean, compared to the previous record set in 2005 of 0.74oC above the mean.  It was the fifth warmest May on record for the Southern Hemisphere.

Surface temperature anomalies, May 2010 (relative to 1951-1980 mean).    Source: NASA GISS

Based on temperature data through April (i.e. not including the latest May data) James Hansen and his colleagues at GISS said in a paper released on 1 June 2010, Global Surface Temperature Change [PDF], that:

"The 12-month running mean global temperature in 2010 has reached a new record level for the period of instrumental data. It is likely that the 12-month mean will rise still somewhat higher during the next several months. A global temperature decline is likely to begin later this year, especially if ENSO-neutral conditions progress into the next La Nina. 

As for the calendar year, it is likely that the 2010 global surface temperature in the GISS analysis also will be a record for the period of instrumental data. However, record global temperature for the calendar year might not occur if tropical SSTs deteriorate rapidly into a deep La Nina in the latter half of 2010."

For additional information on record temperatures this spring and their consequences, see our recent postings:

• Above Normal Spring Temperatures in U.S. Continue Long-Term Upward Trend; Record Warmth in Northeast . 06/08/2010.
• Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover Drops to Record Low for Month of May .  06/07/2010.
• NOAA Sees Potential for "Hyperactive" Hurricane Season; Record High Sea Surface Temperatures Among Contributing Factors .  06/01/2010.
• Early and Severe Wildfire Situation Develops in Alaska as Fuel Conditions Reach "Historical Maximum Levels" in Some Areas . 05/30/2010.
• Arctic Sea Ice Extent & Volume at Record Lows for the Date .  05/29/2010. 
• Global Surface Temperatures Highest on Record in April.  05/16/2010

Within the next several days, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center will release its separate estimates of Global Surface Temperature Anomalies.

Online Resources:

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Surface Temperature Analysis:

• Global-mean monthly, seasonal, and annual means, 1880-present, updated through most recent month
• Northern Hemisphere-mean monthly, seasonal, and annual means, 1880-present, updated through most recent month
• Southern Hemisphere-mean monthly, seasonal, and annual means, 1880-present, updated through most recent month
• Zonal annual means, 1880-present, updated through most recent completed year

Global Surface Temperature Change [PDF].  June 1, 2010, draft paper by J. Hansen, R. Ruedy, M. Sato, and K. Lo (NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies).  See also summary discussion of the paper, and two PowerPoint posters of key figures.

Additional WWF Climate Change Blog Postings

• Global Temperatures in 2009 Were Fifth Warmest on Record, Continuing Accelerated Pace of Warming Over Last 3 Decades. 04/06/2010
• UK Met Office: This Decade is Warmest on Record. 04/06/2010 -
• NOAA: Global Average Surface Temperatures in January are 4th Warmest on Record. 04/06/2010
• Global Surface Temperatures in March 2010 Were Highest on Record, NOAA Reports. 04/15/2010
• Southern Hemisphere Summer is Warmest on Record; Dec-Feb Period is Second Warmest Globally.
• NASA: After Warmest Year on Record, Southern Hemisphere Starts 2010 With Record-Shattering January. 04/06/2010
• Record Breaking Temperatures Continue in March for Southern Hemisphere.- 04/14/2010
• Global Temperatures in 2009 Were Fifth Warmest on Record, Continuing Accelerated Pace of Warming Over Last 3 Decades - 04/06/2010.