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.
Introduction
The July 2002 mean temperature was above the 1988-2002 average across eastern Europe and western Russia, much of the United States and over India and Mongolia as shown in the adjacent map of blended satellite and in-situ data. Cooler than average temperatures occurred across South Africa and northern Australia. The mean position of upper level ridges 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. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures were observed throughout the tropical Pacific during July, the signature of weak El Niño conditions. | larger image |
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July temperature anomalies calculated from the Global Historical Climatology Network data set of land surface stations using a 1961-1990 base period also show the warmer than average temperatures across much of the United States, and across a large area from Scandinavia southward into north Africa. Cooler than average temperatures were observed over much of Argentina and parts of Australia. |
Temperature
July
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January-July
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Precipitation
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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.