Temperature Records: Summer 2008 Was a Hot One

Looking at the summer temperatures around the globe for 2008, NOAA has determined average land and ocean temperatures were the 9th warmest since records began in 1880. August also exhibited higher than normal temperatures ranking as the 10th warmest on record.

Summer Heat Facts 2008

1. California had its ninth warmest summer, while New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island had their 8th warmest summers in 2008
2. Summer 2008 was the 22nd warmest on record for the contiguous United States. August 2008 ranked as the 39th warmest August for the contiguous United States, based on records dating back to 1895.
3. The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for summer 2008 was 0.85 degrees F (0.47 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 60.1 degrees F (15.6 degrees C). August 2008 temperatures were 0.79 degrees F (0.44 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 60.1 degrees F (15.6 degrees C) and tied with 1995 for the tenth warmest August on record since 1880.
4. Land surface temperatures were 1.12 degrees F (0.62 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 56.9 degrees F (13.8 degrees C). August land surface temperatures were 0.88 degrees F (0.49 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 56.9 degrees F (13.8 degrees C).
5. Global ocean surface temperatures for summer ranked as the ninth warmest on record and were 0.74 degrees F (0.41 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 61.5 degrees F (16.4 degrees C). Ocean surface temperatures for August were 0.77 degrees F (0.43 degrees C) above the 20th century mean of 61.4 degrees F (16.4 degrees C), which tied for seventh warmest August with 2001.
6. Arctic sea ice extent at the end of August was at its second lowest extent on record according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Sea ice declined by a record rate in August, decreasing by 950,000 square miles (2.47 million square kilometers) between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3.
7. Several locations across the United States, especially in the Western US, set temperature records in 2008.
8. Several other temperature records were also set around the globe.

Taking the temperature of Earth is not an easy task. Requirements include space technology, computer technology, and human interpretation of data. The National Climatic Data Center uses several indicators to determine climate impacts called National Climate Impact Indicators The purpose of the program is to enhance the understanding of weather and climate's effects on socioeconomic sectors of the United States.

• Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index: Residential demand for energy sources can be a good indicator of climate and the impacts of temperatures on socioeconomic vectors of the United States. There is a close correlation between the number of heating degree days and cooling degree days and the residential energy demand.
• The Crop Moisture Stress Index: Corn and soybean crops are evaluated for the effects of drought and catastrophic wetness on national crop yield using a drought index and annual average crop productivity values.
• Air Stagnation Index: Atmospheric pollution build up through air stagnation is determined using this index. In particular, ground level ozone (smog) is a key air pollutant studied. A lack of wind and precipitation can cause air stagnation and smog build up.
• West Nile VIrus Mosquito Crossover Dates: As the weather warms the dominant type of mosquito changes. Two types of climate models have been developed to provide an estimate of the likely date when temperatures are sufficient enough to allow the arbovirus-carrying mosquito to become the more dominant species.

Source:
NOAA
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