Global Analysis - May 2004
Note: The data presented in this report are preliminary. Ranks and anomalies may change as more complete data are received and processed. Effective September 2012, the GHCN-M version 3.2.0 dataset of monthly mean temperature replaced the GHCN-M version 3.1.0 monthly mean temperature dataset. Beginning with the August 2012 Global monthly State of the Climate Report, released on September 17, 2012, GHCN-M version 3.2.0 is used for NCDC climate monitoring activities, including calculation of global land surface temperature anomalies and trends. For more information about this newest version, please see the GHCN-M version 3.2.0 Technical Report.
*The GHCN-M version 3.1.0 Technical Report was revised on September 5, 2012 to accurately reflect the changes incorporated in that version. Previously that report incorrectly included discussion of changes to the Pairwise Homogeneity Algorithm (PHA). Changes to the PHA are included in version 3.2.0 and described in the version 3.2.0 Technical Report. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about this update.
Global Highlights:
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Contents of this Section: |
| 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 maps below use 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 left
reflects conditions during March-May 2004, indicating above average
temperatures across Asia, Europe, Greenland and Scandinavia, while
cooler than average temperatures occurred in parts of Canada and
Mexico. The map on the right reflects conditions during May 2004,
indicating above average temperatures in the northeastern U.S.,
western Europe, South Africa and Alaska with cooler than average
temperatures in the northern Great Plains of the U.S., Argentina,
eastern Europe and southern portions of India. |
Introduction |
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Current Month / Seasonal /
Year-to-date
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| May | Anomaly | Rank | Warmest Year on Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean |
+0.46°C (+0.83°F) +0.34°C (+0.61°F) +0.38°C (+0.68°F) |
9th warmest 6th warmest 5th warmest |
1998
(+0.94°C/1.70°F) 1998 (+0.53°C/0.95°F) 1998 (+0.65°C/1.17°F) |
| Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean |
+0.58°C (+1.04°F) +0.35°C (+0.63°F) +0.44°C (+0.79°F) |
6th warmest 3rd warmest 5th warmest |
2001
(+1.00°C/1.80°F) 1998 (+0.51°C/0.92°F) 1998 (+0.66°C/1.19°F) |
| Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean |
+0.08°C (+0.14°F) +0.34°C (+0.61°F) +0.29°C (+0.52°F) |
54th warmest 11th warmest 19th warmest |
2002
(+1.00°C/1.80°F) 1998 (+0.56°C/1.01°F) 1998 (+0.64°C/1.15°F) |
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The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
The maps below represent anomaly values based on the GHCN data set
of land surface stations using a base period of 1961-1990. The map
to the left is precipitation anomalies measured in millimeters, the
map to the right is the percentage of average (1961-1990)
precipitation. During March-May 2004, much above average
precipitation fell across southern India, central China, the Great
Lakes region of the U.S. and Argentina. Below average precipitation
was observed in eastern Australia, the Netherlands, southeastern
U.S. and Turkey. During the month of May
2004, above average precipitation occurred in the Ohio Valley
of the U.S., Chile, Japan and Thailand while drier than average
conditions were observed in the central and southern Great Plains
of the U.S., coastal Brazil, western Europe and eastern
Australia. |
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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. |
