Global warming

October marked the 344th consecutive month that the Earth had an above-average temperature.

Globe had very warm October; year is 7th-warmest so far

So far this year, the global temperature is the seventh-warmest on record.

USA Today

18 November, 2013

The globe had its seventh-warmest October on record, according to data released today by the National Climatic Data Center. Records go back to 1880.

The global temperature in October was 1.13 degrees F above the average of 57.1 degrees F.

It also marked the 344th consecutive month (more than 28 years) that the Earth had an above-average global temperature.

Most areas of the world's land surface experienced warmer-than-average monthly temperatures, with the most notable warmth across Alaska, northwestern Canada, northwestern Africa, and parts of north central and southern Asia, the climate center reported.

For the year-to-date, the global temperature was the seventh-warmest such period on record, with a combined global land and ocean average surface temperature that was 1.08 degrees F above the average of 57.4 degrees F.

All the warmest years on record have occurred since 1998, with the warmest January-October period in 2010. Australia is having its warmest year on record, so far.

Other global weather and climate highlights in October:

• Alaska had its warmest October since records began in 1918.

• Spain had its sixth-warmest October on record.

• Cyclone Phailin hit India on Oct. 12, and was the second-most intense cyclone to cross India since records began.

• Antarctic sea ice extent had its largest October extent since records began in 1979.

• Precipitation across Japan was above average, with some locations receiving nearly twice the average amount.