January 26, 2015

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA released reports (NOAA, NASA) showing that 2014 was the warmest year on record for temperatures of both land and ocean surfaces. Japan’s Meteorological Agency confirmed that their records also show 2014 as the warmest year.

Average temperatures across land and ocean surfaces measured 1.24 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20^th century average, beating records set in 2005 and 2010. This data is particularly noteworthy because 2014 was not an El Niño year which tend to be hotter than average, as was the case with previous record-setting years.

Source: E & E News, Japan Meteorological Agency, NASA, NOAA

Updated 2/11/15