Overview
Each month, we will provide information regarding the previous month’s climate. Overall, preliminary data analysis suggests that February 2014 was the 21st warmest February on record (since 1880). Major stories include a colder than average United States and warmer than normal Europe.
Click to play
Highlights Dataset
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: February 2014 Highlights
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: AUDIO February 2014 Highlights
- This dataset shows some of the major February 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.
- Argentina: Persistent high temperatures.
- North America: Much of the U.S. and Canada experienced below normal temperatures.
- Adelaide, Australia: Record-breaking heavy rainfall on February 14th.
- Europe: Above average temperatures for much of Europe.
- United Kingdom: Fourth wettest January on record.
Click to play
Global Temperature Anomalies Dataset
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: February 2014 Temperature Anomaly
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: AUDIO February 2014 Temperature Anomaly
- 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 February, including those mentioned above in the highlights.
- The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for February was the 21st warmest on record (since 1880).
Click to play
Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies Dataset
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: February 2014 SST Anomaly
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: AUDIO February 2014 SST Anomaly
- 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.
- Global water temperatures were the seventh warmest for February on record.
- Remember that the blues indicate cooler than average temperatures and reds indicate warmer than average temperatures (white: average).
Click to play
Snow and Ice Cover Dataset
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: February 2014 Snow and Ice Cover
Dataset: 20140328 EarthNow: AUDIO February 2014 Snow and Ice Cover
- 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 for February 2014 was the fourth lowest on since satellite records began in 1979.
- In Antarctica, the sea ice extent was the fourth largest on record.
Seasonal Outlooks
- Also be sure to check out the newest 3-month seasonal outlooks for April-June 2014.
- Global Temperature Outlook
- Global Precipitation Outlook
- U.S. Drought Outlook
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
