Second warmest first half of a year on record globally

New data from NOAA indicates that the first half of 2020, which is the period from January through June, was the second warmest on record globally. Records go back to 1880.

According to the report, the globe averaged about 2 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average for the period.

Image courtesy NOAA.

The January - June 2020 period was the warmest such period on record in South America, Europe and Asia, beating the old record by more than 1 degree F. Parts of northern Asia have averaged nearly 9 degrees F above normal during this six-month stretch!

Based on the current data, NOAA scientists estimate that there is currently a 35 percent chance that 2020 will be the warmest year on record. The current holder of that record is 2016.

Even if 2020 does not end up being a record, it is highly likely that the year will rank in the top five warmest on record, according to NOAA.

June 2020 ended up as the third warmest June on record. However, the top seven warmest Junes on record have all occurred over the last seven years.

The June 2020 data makes this the 426th consecutive month where the global average temperature was above the 20th century average.

While the July 2020 report is not out yet, a sneak peek of the global temperature anomalies through July 26 (below) indicates that July will indeed be another month with widespread above-normal temperatures.