Assessing the Global Climate in November 2017

The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for November 2017 tied with 2016 as the fifth highest for the month of November in the NOAA global temperature dataset record, which dates back to 1880. The September-November seasonal global temperature was fourth highest on record, while the year-to-date global temperature was third warmest in the 138-year record.

This monthly summary, developed by scientists at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, is part of the suite of climate services NOAA provides to government, business, academia, and the public to support informed decision-making.

November 2017 Temperature

• The November temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.35°F above the 20th century average of 55.2°F. This value tied with 2016 as the fifth highest for November in the 1880-2017 record. November 2017 marks the 41st consecutive November and the 395th consecutive month with temperatures at least nominally above the 20th century average.

• The November globally averaged land surface temperature was 1.98°F above the 20th century average of 42.6°F and the ninth highest November land global temperature in the 138-year record.

• The November globally averaged sea surface temperature was 1.12°F above the 20th century monthly average of 60.4°F – the fourth highest global ocean temperature for November in the record.

November 2017 Sea Ice and Snow Cover

• The average Arctic sea ice extent for November was 479,000 square miles (11.6 percent) below the 1981-2010 average. This was the third smallest November sea ice extent since records began in 1979, according to an analysis by the National Snow and Ice Data Center based on data from NOAA and NASA. Below-average sea ice was observed in the Kara and Barents Sea with record-low sea ice in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Above-average sea ice was observed in parts of Hudson Bay.

• The Antarctic sea ice extent for November 2017 was 350,000 square miles (5.7 percent) below the 1981-2010 average. This was the second smallest November Antarctic sea ice extent since records began in 1979, behind 2016. Sea ice was near average for most of the oceans surrounding Antarctica, except the Weddell Sea, where sea ice was record low.

• According to data from NOAA and analyzed by the Rutgers Global Snow Lab, the Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent during November was 780,000 square miles above the 1981-2010 average. This was the ninth largest November Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in the 52-year period of record and the ninth consecutive November with above-average snow cover. The North American snow cover extent was the seventh largest on record, while the Eurasian snow cover extent was the 17th largest.

Seasonal (September-November 2017)

• The September-November average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.35°F above the 20th century average of 57.1°F. This was the fourth highest for September-November in the 1880-2017 record.

• The globally averaged land surface temperature for September-November 2017 was 1.91°F above the 20th century average of 48.3°F. This was the fifth highest for September-November in the 138-year record.

• The September-November globally averaged sea surface temperature was 1.13°F above the 20th century average of 60.7°F – the fourth highest for September-November in the record.

Year-to-Date (January-November 2017)

• The year-to-date temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.51°F above the 20th century average of 57.2°F. This was the third highest for January-November in the 1880-2017 record, behind the record year 2016 and 2015 (second highest).

• The year-to-date globally averaged land surface temperature was 2.34°F above the 20th century average of 48.1°F. This value tied with 2015 as the second highest for January-November in the record, behind 2016.

• The year-to-date globally averaged sea surface temperature was 1.21°F above the 20th century average of 61.0°F. This was the third highest for January-November in the 138-year record, trailing behind the record year 2016 and 2015 (second highest).

For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our November 2017 Global Climate Report.