Thursday, August 8, 2013

So what's another eighth inch?

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a part of the Dept. of Commerce, has issued its State of the Climate report for 2012. Overall, it is in the top 10 for warmest, either 8th or 9th, depending on which dataset is used. The temperature map shows much of North America hotter than average, some of it up to 5F warmer.

Other items of note:

* Extent of Artic summer sea ice reached a new low.

* Sea surface temperature (down to about a half mile) increased and ocean heat content remains at near record levels. Sea level reaches record high. Levels have been increasing about 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) per year for two decades.

* Greenhouse gas levels climbed. CO2 concentration has topped 400 ppm in some readings (scientists have said nasty things start happening when we get above 350 ppm).

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