The State of the Climate

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) and NOAA recently released their peer-reviewed 'State of the Climate' for 2013.

The report, which was compiled by 425 scientists from 57 countries around the world gives an update on global climate indicators.

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane and nitrous oxide kept rising in 2013, reaching record levels.

Global temperatures

Depending on the data set, 2013 global surface temperatures ranked anywhere from 2nd to 6th warmest on record. Australia had it's warmest year on record. Surface temperature records go back to 1880.

Global sea surface temperatures

Sea levels continued to rise in 2013. The current rate of increase is 3.2 mm +/- 0.4 mm per year over the past two decades.

Arctic sea ice extent at the end of the 2013 melt season was the 6th lowest on record. All seven of the lowest Arctic sea ice extents have occurred in the last seven years.

Antarctic sea ice extent was the record highest for the second year in a row.

The June 2014 Antarctic sea ice extent compared to the 1981-2010 average (red line).

Also, the South Pole recorded it's highest annual temperature since records began back in 1957.

Globally, the number of tropical cyclones in 2013 was slightly above average, but the Atlantic basin was the quietest in almost 20 years.

Super Typhoon Haiyan was the strongest typhoon in recorded history in terms of sustained winds with a reading of 196 mph last year.

“These findings reinforce what scientists for decades have observed: that our planet is becoming a warmer place,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D. “This report provides the foundational information we need to develop tools and services for communities, business, and nations to prepare for, and build resilience to, the impacts of climate change.” (via the NOAA report)

***images supplied by NOAA, AMS and the NSIDC.

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