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. |
IntroductionThe 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.The mean position of upper level ridges of high pressure and troughs of low pressure (depicted by positive and negative 500 millibar height anomalies on the March-May 2004 and May 2004maps ) are generally reflected by areas of positive and negative temperature anomalies at the surface, respectively. For other Global products see the Climate Monitoring Global Products page. |
Temperature Rankings and GraphicsCurrent Month / Seasonal / Year-to-date
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The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.
PrecipitationThe 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. |
ENSO SST Analysis |
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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. |