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Global Analysis - February 2007

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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:

Based on preliminary data, globally averaged combined land and sea surface temperature was the warmest on record for boreal winter (December 2006 - February 2007) and sixth warmest for February.
December 2006 - February 2007 temperatures were above average in Europe, Asia, western Africa, southeastern Brazil, and the northeast half of the United States. Cooler-than-average conditions occurred in parts of Saudi Arabia and central U.S.
Precipitation during December 2006 - February 2007 was above average in Scandinavia, England, northern Europe, southern Brazil, and the southern Plains to the eastern Great Lakes of the contiguous U.S. Drier than average conditions were observed in southern India, southern Europe, eastern and western U.S., and the eastern coast of Australia.
ENSO conditions transitioned to a neutral phase during February.

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.

Introduction

Temperature anomalies for December 2006 - February 2007 and February 2007 are shown on the dot maps below. The dot maps, below left, provides a spatial representation of anomalies calculated from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) data set of land surface stations using a 1961-1990 base period. The dot maps, below right, are a product of a merged land surface and sea surface temperature anomaly analysis developed by Smith and Reynolds (2005). Temperature anomalies with respect to the 1961-1990 mean for land and ocean are analyzed separately and then merged to form the global analysis. Additional information on this product is available.

Anomalously warm temperatures covered much of the globe during the first two months of the year. The January-February 2007 year-to-date map of temperature anomalies shows the presence of warmer than average temperatures across almost all land areas. Warmer than average Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) occured in the equatorial Pacific, North and South Atlantic, and the South Indian Ocean. Cooler than average conditions were observed in the northeastern Pacific and some areas in the South Pacific.

During boreal winter, temperatures were above average across the entire globe, with the exception of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and areas in the central U.S. Warmer than average SSTs were observed across all oceans, with the exception of parts of the northeastern Pacific and South Pacific where cooler than average SSTs were observed.

Current season's Land Surface Temperature Dot map

larger image of Dec-Feb land surface temperature anomalies

Current season's blended Land and sea surface Temperature Dot map

larger image of Dec-Feb blended surface temperature anomalies

During February, there were above average temperatures across central and southern Europe, south Asia, most of Central America, parts of South America, and western sections of Africa, the U.S., and Alaska. Cooler than average temperatures were observed in Scandinavia, Siberia, and the northeastern half of the United States. Warmer than average SSTs occurred in the North and South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and the Niño regions. SSTs decreased in the Niño regions during the month of February, transitioning from a warm phase to neutral ENSO conditions. Please see the latest ENSO discussion for additional information.

Current month's Land SurfaceTemperature Dot map

larger image of February land surface temperature anomalies

Current month's blended Land and sea surface Temperature Dot map

larger image of February blended surface temperature anomalies

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 December 2006 - February 2007 and the February map) 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.

Images of sea surface temperature conditions are available for all weeks during 2007 at the weekly SST page.

Temperature Rankings and Graphics

Effective with the February 2006 report, NCDC transitioned from the use of the Operational Global Surface Temperature Index (Quayle et al. 1999) to the blended land and ocean dataset developed by Smith and Reynolds (2005). The differences between the two methods are discussed in Smith et al. (2005).

The global land and ocean surface temperatures were sixth warmest on record in February, but a record warm January helped push the Boreal winter to its highest values since records began in 1880. The global December 2006 - February 2007 land surface temperature was the warmest on record, while the ocean-surface temperature tied for second warmest in the 128-year period of record, approximately 0.06°C (0.1°F) cooler than the record established during the very strong El Niño episode of 1997-1998.

Current Month / Seasonal / Year-to-date

February	Anomaly	Rank	Warmest Year on Record
Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.93°C (+1.67°F) +0.47°C (+0.85°F) +0.60°C (+1.08°F)	9th warmest 3rd warmest 6th warmest	2002 (+1.62°C/2.92°F) 1998 (+0.55°C/0.99°F) 1998 (+0.82°C/1.48°F)
Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.08°C (+1.94°F) +0.47°C (+0.85°F) +0.70°C (+1.26°F)	10th warmest 2nd warmest 6th warmest	2002 (+2.11°C/3.80°F) 1998 (+0.53°C/0.95°F) 2002 (+1.03°C/1.85°F)
Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.49°C (+0.88°F) +0.49°C (+0.88°F) +0.49°C (+0.88°F)	13th warmest 4th warmest 5th warmest	1986 (+1.23°C/2.21°F) 1998 (+0.57°C/1.03°F) 1998 (+0.62°C/1.12°F)

larger image of global, land and ocean February temperatures

larger image of global and hemispheric February temperatures

December-February	Anomaly	Rank	Warmest Year on Record
Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.35°C (+2.43°F) +0.48°C (+0.86°F) +0.72°C (+1.30°F)	warmest 2nd warmest warmest	2002 (+1.20°C/2.16°F) 1998 (+0.55°C/0.99°F) 2004 (+0.65°C/1.17°F)
Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.59°C (+2.86°F) +0.50°C (+0.90°F) +0.91°C (+1.64°F)	warmest 2nd warmest warmest	2002 (+1.55°C/2.79°F) 1998 (+0.52°C/0.94°F) 2002 (+0.82°C/1.48°F)
Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.59°C (+1.06°F) +0.48°C (+0.86°F) +0.49°C (+0.88°F)	7th warmest 3rd warmest 4th warmest	1998 (+0.81°C/1.46°F) 1998 (+0.57°C/1.03°F) 1998 (+0.61°C/1.10°F)

larger image of global, land and ocean Dec-Feb temperatures

larger image of global and hemispheric Dec-Feb temperatures

January-February	Anomaly	Rank	Warmest Year on Record
Global Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.40°C (+2.52°F) +0.47°C (+0.85°F) +0.72°C (+1.30°F)	2nd warmest 3rd warmest 2nd warmest	2002 (+1.53°C/2.75°F) 1998 (+0.54°C/0.97°F) 2002 (+0.73°C/1.31°F)
Northern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+1.67°C (+3.01°F) +0.48°C (+0.86°F) +0.93°C (+1.67°F)	2nd warmest 2nd warmest 2nd warmest	2002 (+1.99°C/3.58°F) 1998 (+0.52°C/0.94°F) 2002 (+0.98°C/1.76°F)
Southern Hemisphere Land Ocean Land and Ocean	+0.58°C (+1.04°F) +0.47°C (+0.85°F) +0.49°C (+0.88°F)	8th warmest 6th warmest 4th warmest	2003 (+0.81°C/1.46°F) 1998 (+0.56°C/1.01°F) 1998 (+0.60°C/1.08°F)

larger image of global, land and ocean year-to-date temperatures

larger image of global and hemispheric year-to-date temperatures

The most current data may be accessed via the Global Surface Temperature Anomalies page.

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Precipitation

The maps below represent anomaly values based on the GHCN data set of land surface stations using a base period of 1961-1990. During boreal winter, above average precipitation fell over areas that include Scandinavia, England, northern Europe, southern Brazil, and the southern Plains to the eastern Great Lakes of the contiguous U.S. Drier than average conditions were observed in southern India, southern Europe, eastern and western U.S., and the eastern coast of Australia.

During February 2007, above average precipitation fell over areas that include England, northern India, eastern Brazil, and parts of Europe. Below average precipitation was observed in eastern U.S., northwestern Brazil, and most of Australia. Additional details on flooding and drought can also be found on the February Global Hazards page.

Precipitation Dot map in Millimeters for December-February

larger image of Dec-Feb global land surface precipitation anomalies

Precipitation Dot map in Millimeters for February

larger imageof February global land surface precipitation anomalies

ENSO SST Analysis

Last week of the month's ENSO condtions Map

Click here for animated loop

Sea Surface Temperatures decreased across the equatorial Pacific Ocean during February, as the El Niño episode weakened to a neutral phase (shown in the adjacent animation of weekly sea surface temperature anomalies). A comprehensive summary of February 2007 ENSO conditions can be found on the ENSO monitoring page. For the latest advisory on ENSO conditions go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and the CPC ENSO Diagnostic Discussion.
Images of sea surface temperature conditions are available for all weeks since 2003 at the weekly SST 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.

Quayle, R. G., T. C. Peterson, A. N. Basist, and C. S. Godfrey, 1999: An operational near-real-time global temperature index. Geophys. Res. Lett., 26, 333-335.

Smith, T. M., and R. W. Reynolds (2005), A global merged land air and sea surface temperature reconstruction based on historical observations (1880-1997), J. Clim., 18, 2021-2036.

Citing This Report

NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate: Global Analysis for February 2007, published online March 2007, retrieved on May 21, 2013 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2007/2.