2018 was the fourth hottest year on record. Earth has been warming up for decades. The last five years are the hottest five years on record and the last four were all more than 1 degree Celsius, warmer than the 19th Century average.
A warmer climate contributes to melting polar ice and mountain glaciers, rising sea levels, more severe droughts, longer fire seasons.
NASA and NOAA work together to study the temperature from weather stations, ships and buoys in the ocean, and Antarctic research stations.
Credits: Kathryn Mersmann (USRA): Lead Producer Ellen T. Gray (ADNET Systems Inc.): Lead Writer Patrick Lynch (NASA/GSFC): Lead Public Affairs Officer Gavin A. Schmidt (NASA/GSFC GISS): Lead Scientist
NOAA/NASA’s annual global analysis reveals that 2018 was the 4th warmest for the planet. The report shows record warmth for much of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, New Zealand and nearby ocean, and parts of the Atlantic and western Pacific. There were 14 billion dollar disasters in the U.S. in 2018 which accounted for $91 billion in direct losses, the 4th largest on record.
NASA 2018 Global Temperature
NOAA / NASA Annual Global Analysis for 2018 Download
