So far this year, the global temperature is the seventh-warmest on record.
The globe had its seventh-warmest October on record, according to data released today by the National Climatic Data Center. Records go back to 1880.
The global temperature in October was 1.13 degrees F above the average of 57.1 degrees F.
It also marked the 344th consecutive month (more than 28 years) that the Earth had an above-average global temperature.
Most areas of the world's land surface experienced warmer-than-average monthly temperatures, with the most notable warmth across Alaska, northwestern Canada, northwestern Africa, and parts of north central and southern Asia, the climate center reported.
For the year-to-date, the global temperature was the seventh-warmest such period on record, with a combined global land and ocean average surface temperature that was 1.08 degrees F above the average of 57.4 degrees F.
All the warmest years on record have occurred since 1998, with the warmest January-October period in 2010. Australia is having its warmest year on record, so far.
Other global weather and climate highlights in October:
• Alaska had its warmest October since records began in 1918.
• Spain had its sixth-warmest October on record.
• Cyclone Phailin hit India on Oct. 12, and was the second-most intense cyclone to cross India since records began.
• Antarctic sea ice extent had its largest October extent since records began in 1979.
• Precipitation across Japan was above average, with some locations receiving nearly twice the average amount.