 NCDC / Climate Monitoring / Climate of 2004 / January / Global / Search / Help
Use these links to access detailed analyses of Global and U.S. data.
The data presented in this report are preliminary. Ranks and anomalies may change as more complete data are received and processed. The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The two maps below utilize different base periods and may reflect different anomaly values of land surface temperatures. The dot map on the left uses anomalies that were calculated from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) data set of land surface stations using a 1961-1990 base period. The map on the right is a blended product which uses satellite and surface anomaly values of measured land and ocean temperatures as well as SSTs with the base period of 1988-2004. Both maps indicate above average temperatures in western Europe, South America and much of Asia while cooler than average temperatures covered much of Canada, Alaska and the eastern U.S, as well as Australia and eastern Europe. The mean position of upper level ridges of high pressure and troughs of low pressure (depicted by positive and negative 500 millibar height anomalies) are generally reflected by areas of positive and negative temperature anomalies at the surface, respectively. For all Global map products see the Climate Monitoring Global Products page. |
|
|
Temperature Rankings and Graphics
|
|
|
The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
Precipitation
| The dot maps below represent anomaly values based on the GHCN data set of land surface stations using a base period of 1961-1990. The map on the left is precipitation anomalies measured in millimeters, the map on the right is the percentage of average precipitation as defined by the base period. During January 2004, much above average precipitation fell across the Mississippi Valley in the U.S., most of Europe, Malaysia, most of Brazil and eastern Australia. Below average precipitation was observed in Alaska, northeastern U.S., Argentina, Portugal and Spain. |
|
|
The satellite images below were acquired from the SSM/I satellite using a base period of 1988-2004. The map on the left reflects surface liquid wetness conditions, while the map on the right reflects snow cover conditions for the month. Snow covered areas that are normally snow-free during this month will be appear drier than average on the wetness image since a wetness value cannot be determined for regions that are normally snow covered. Data in these areas that are normally snow covered are displayed as missing. This is due to the snow crystalline structure which produces a considerable amount of scatter and makes it difficult for the SSM/I to accurately read the surface conditions. The SSM/I products are experimental and are under continuing review and development. Additional data and information can be found on the SSM/I Browser.
|
|
|
|
|
ENSO SST Analysis
 |
|
Troposphere
| The table below contains mid-tropospheric conditions for January 2004. These temperatures are for the layer centered in the mid-troposphere (approximately 2-6 miles above the earth's surface) but also includes a portion of the lower stratosphere. (The MSU channel used to measure mid-tropospheric temperatures receives about 25 percent of its signal above 6 miles.) Analysis of the satellite record that began in 1979 indicates that global temperatures are increasing in the mid-troposphere, but the magnitude of the trend differs based on the analysis methods used in adjusting for factors such as orbital decay and inter-satellite differences. The 1979-2004 trend for January is 0.02°C/decade based on data from the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) and 0.12°C/decade on data provided by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). The base period used in both data sets is 1979-1998. |
|
| The table below displays stratospheric conditions for January 2004. The stratosphere is located at an altitude of 10-14 miles. Over the past two decades, stratospheric temperatures have been decreasing in large part due to the depletion of ozone. The large increase in temperature in 1982 was caused by the volcanic eruption of El Chichon in Mexico, and the increase in 1991 is a result of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines. The base period used in both data sets is 1979-1990. |
Mid-tropospheric and lower stratospheric temperature data are collected by NOAA's TIROS-N polar-orbiting satellites and adjusted for time-dependent biases by NASA and the Global Hydrology and Climate Center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). An independent analysis is also performed by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS).
For additional details on precipitation and temperatures in January, see the Global Hazards page .
References:
Peterson, T.C. and R.S. Vose, 1997: An Overview of the Global Historical Climatology Network Database. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 78, 2837-2849. For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue, Room 120 Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4876 phone: 828-271-4800 email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov
For questions about this report, please contact:
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: David.Easterling@noaa.gov -or- NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
|
