June 2013 Climate Digest
SOS Playlists
SOS Playlist
SOS AutoRun/Audio Playlist
Overview
Each month, we will provide information regarding the previous month’s climate. Overall, preliminary data analysis suggests that June 2013 was the 5th warmest on record, tied with 2006 (since 1880). Major stories include drought in the United States, Tropical Storm Andrea, and the continued absence of El Niño or La Niña.
June 2013 Highlights
Highlights Dataset
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: June 2013 Highlights
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: AUDIO June 2013 Highlights
Full Map Image
- This dataset shows some of the major June weather and climate highlights from the National Climatic Data Center’s (NCDC) monthly global climate analysis, and serves as an overview of what can be discussed in the datasets that follow. Highlights are noted below with more information.
- Alaska: Warmest June on record (since 1918).
- Western United States: 44% of U.S. in drought. Very dry during January-June 2013 period. California experienced direst Jan-Jun. period on record.
- Tropical Storm Andrea: June 5-9, Max. Winds: 100 km/hr. Minor storm surge, heavy rain and tornadoes, along Florida Gulf Coast.
- Spain: Spain experienced its coolest June since 1997.
- Norway: Wettest June on record (since 1900)
- India & Nepal: Northern India and Nepal experience heavy monsoonal rains, resulting in landslides and flooding. Over 5,000 fatalities were been reported.
- Arctic Sea Ice Extent: Eleventh smallest on record, at 2.6% below the 1981-2010 average.
- Antarctic Sea Ice Extent: Third largest on record, at 5.2% above the 1981-2010 average.
Global Temperature Differences
Global Temperature Anomalies Dataset
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: June 2013 Temperature Anomaly
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: AUDIO June 2013 Temperature Anomaly
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- Using the real-time Monthly Temperature Anomalies dataset is a great way to convey where some of the warmer and cooler than average areas were in June, including those mentioned above in the highlights.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for June was the 5th warmest on record, tied with 2006 (since 1880).
SST Differences
Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies Dataset
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: June 2013 SST Anomaly
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: AUDIO June 2013 SST Anomaly
Full Map Image
- The real-time sea surface temperature anomaly dataset is a great way to visualize the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle in the eastern tropical Pacific ocean. For June 2013, these waters were only slightly below average, indicating an ENSO Neutral period. The Climate Prediction Center anticipates a continued neutral period through at least the northern hemisphere Summer.
- Also of note, the Atlantic ocean temperatures in the development region for tropical cyclones was above normal. This can indicate the potential for an active hurricane season, which just started on June 1.
- Remember that the blues indicate cooler than average temperatures and reds indicate warmer than average temperatures (white: average).
- The Climate Prediction Center expects the neutral conditions to prevail through at least the Northern Hemisphere Summer.
Snow and Ice
Snow and Ice Cover Dataset
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: June 2013 Snow and Ice Cover
Dataset: 20130719 EarthNow: AUDIO June 2013 Snow and Ice Cover
Full Map Image
- Aside from helping to illustrate seasonal changes, the real-time Snow and Ice Cover dataset is a great way to convey sea ice change through time, including discussing how the current sea ice extent compares to other noteworthy years.
- The Arctic sea ice extent in May was the tenth smallest on record. The extent was 2.2% below the 1981-2010 average.
- In Antarctica, the sea ice extent was the fifth largest on record, at 6.3% above the 1981-2010 average.
Where do I find the datasets?
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First, check your SOS system to make sure it’s not already in the EarthNow category.
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If not, you can download the datasets and playlist files from this FTP Site.
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Then download and use playlist files at the top of the page (or create your own) and make sure they are in /home/sos/sosrc or /home/sosdemo/sosrc.
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More detailed information here
Helpful Resources for More Information
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http://go.wisc.edu/3nd6pg National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
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http://go.wisc.edu/9y2618 About ENSO (El Niño/La Niña)
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http://go.wisc.edu/1nx2n3 NCDC’s Global Climate Report
