With some states still feeling the effects of snow and blistering low temperatures, a report has surfaced and it claims we’ve survived far colder Winters. Go figure!
According to Climate Central, a report from the U.S. National Climatic Data Center has named Winter 2014 the 8th warmest on record globally.
December 2013 to February 2014 was the 8th warmest on record globally, the U.S. National Climatic Data Center reported [March 18]. That warmth early in the year could set the stage for another record or near-record warm year, one NCDC scientist said.
Despite the infamous Polar Vortex, Chicago’s record setting lows and heavy snowfall, temperatures were warmer than the global average.
And February, which was the 21st warmest globally since record keeping began in 1880, was the 348th consecutive month where temperatures were higher than the global average; the last month with below-average temperatures was exactly 29 years ago, in February 1985, when Ronald Reagan was just beginning his second term as president.
In addition to the global report, a national report lists the U.S as the 34th coldest in past 119 years, which isn’t too shabby when compared to other countries.
The ranking of the 2013-2014 winter (summer in the Southern Hemisphere) as the 8th warmest surpasses that of 2012-2013, which was the 12th warmest. Since 2013 turned out to be the 4th warmest year on record globally, “it is definitely possible that we could end up record or close to record warm for the globe in 2014, especially if El Niño conditions develop in the summer or fall as many scientists and agencies are predicting,” Blunden said.
With Spring getting a cool start, it looks like it will take a while before we get to pull out the beach towels and sunglasses. When Summer does arrive, it might be too hot for some to handle.
SOURCE: Climate Change | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
