Global temperature anomaly highest since 2009/10

READING, England, 10th July - The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) publishes today a comparison between global average temperatures over the last few months and the last thirty years. The maps are examples of the kind of information that will be available as part of this EU-funded service, which is being implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Twelve-month averages of global temperatures relative to 1981–2010 reached a value in June 2015 that is comparable with peak values experienced in 2005 and 2009-10, according to figures released by ECMWF. The 12-month period up to June 2015 was about 0.3°C warmer than the average global temperature over the period 1981 to 2010.

A temperature anomaly map for July 2014 to June 2015 shows warm anomalies in most parts of the globe, with the exception of much of Antarctica, western North America and Greenland and parts of the Atlantic.
Looking just at June 2015, there is a broadly similar pattern of temperature anomalies relative to 1981 to 2010, but there are some regional variations. For example, temperatures in northern Europe are below average, most likely associated with cool North Atlantic Ocean temperatures.

These findings are based on the ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset for near-surface air temperatures. ECMWF reanalysis combines information from past meteorological observations with modern forecast models, using data assimilation techniques originally developed for numerical weather prediction.

C3S is currently in a two-year proof-of-concept phase. It is part of the EU’s flagship Copernicus Earth observation programme. The service will give access to authoritative, quality-assured information about the past, current and future states of the climate in Europe and worldwide. It will build on national and international expertise to help EU member states improve their adaptation and mitigation policies.

It can help the private sector too, by providing businesses with the information they need to seize the opportunities offered by the transition to an energy-efficient society. And it will benefit the world as all the products and services it provides will be openly available, free of charge.

Both Copernicus Services implemented by ECMWF, (Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring) are present at ‘Our Common Future under Climate Change’ conference taking place in Paris this week through two events taking place today, 9 July.

Copernicus is the European Union’s revolutionary Earth Observation and Monitoring programme, looking at our planet and its environment for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. In addition to the Copernicus Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services, Copernicus addresses four more thematic areas: land and marine monitoring, emergency management, and security.

 

Notes to Editors

1. ECMWF is an intergovernmental organisation supported by 34 States (of which 21 are Member States and 13 are Co-operating States). ECMWF was established in 1975 in recognition of the need to pool the scientific and technical resources of Europe’s meteorological services and institutions for the production of medium-range weather forecasts. Medium-range refers to time periods of 3 to 10 days ahead; however, increasingly, extended forecasts are being produced for monthly to seasonal time-scales.
2. Today, ECMWF produces global numerical predictions of the weather from the current time up to a year ahead with varying degrees of detail. The Centre also produces predictions of atmospheric composition such as greenhouse gases, air pollutants, aerosols, fire smoke, and volcanic ash. Using its coupled ocean-atmosphere models ECMWF produces world-leading ocean wave forecasts. As part of its capability to analyse accurately the state of the atmosphere and oceans, ECMWF is also a world-leader in climate monitoring using reanalyses of past observations using state-of-the-art modelling and assimilation techniques. As a consequence ECMWF has the largest meteorological data archive in the world.
3. Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth Observation and Monitoring programme. Thanks to a variety of technologies, from satellites in space to measurement systems on the ground, in the sea and in the air, Copernicus delivers operational data and information services openly and freely in a wide range of application areas. Copernicus addresses six thematic areas: land, marine and atmosphere monitoring, climate change, emergency management and security. Each has a service with specific products in place. Together, they support a wide range of applications, including environmental protection, management of urban areas, regional and local planning, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, health, transport, climate change, sustainable development, civil protection, and tourism. The Programme is coordinated and managed by the European Commission.