The globe had its seventh-warmest October on record, according to data released this week by the National Climatic Data Center. Records go back to 1880.
It also marked the 344th consecutive month (more than 28 years) that the Earth had an above-average global temperature.
Most areas of the world’s land surface experienced warmer-than-average monthly temperatures, with the most notable warmth across Alaska, northwestern Canada, northwestern Africa, and parts of north central and southern Asia, the climate center reported.
For the year-to-date, the global temperature was the seventh-warmest such period on record. All the warmest years on record have occurred since 1998.
Other highlights in October:
Alaska had its warmest October since records began in 1918.
Spain had its sixth-warmest October on record.
Cyclone Phailin hit India on Oct. 12, and was the second-most intense cyclone to cross India since records began.
Precipitation across Japan was above average, with some locations receiving nearly twice the average amount.
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