Parts of Northern America are experiencing bitter cold weather; however, weather agencies suggest that 2014 may be the warmest year since 1880.
Data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed on Nov. 20 that October 2014 was the warmest October since temperature tracking started in 1880.
NOAA said that for October 2014, the collective average temperature of ocean and land surface was recorded to be the highest since 1880 at 0.74 degree Celsius, or 1.33 degree Fahrenheit over the 20th century average of 14.0 degrees Celsius, or 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit.
The weather agency also revealed that the combined global ocean and land average surface temperature for the period from January to October was 0.68 degree Celsius, or 1.22 degree Fahrenheit, which is more than the 20th century average of 14.1 degrees Celsius, or 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Surpassing the previous record set in 1998 and tied in 2010 by 0.02°C (0.04°F), 2014 is currently on track to be the warmest year on record," reported the NOAA.
2014 has another two months to go but the year has already gone ahead of 2010 and 1998, which were previously recorded as the warmest years. NOAA suggests that if the temperature for November and December reaches the average for 21st century, it will still become the warmest year recorded ever.
However, NOAA scientists suggest that it has been so hot in the last few months, which makes it very unlikely that the temperature will be below average for the remaining two months of the year.
The NOAA report points out that even though the world is experiencing the warmest year, it is not the warmest year for the entire U.S., but parts of the country such as California are still facing increased temperatures. However, the U.S. covers only 2 percent of the Earth's total surface.
A previous report cites a study conducted by scientists at the University of Washington who suggest that there has been a slowdown in the rise of global temperature also referred to as global warming hiatus or global warming pause.
However, Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the Pennsylvania State University, suggests that NOAA report reaffirms that global warming is increasing.
The scientists suggest that a month or a year cannot but taken as an indication of increased global warming. Burning of fossil fuels is one of the major culprits that causes global warming and climate changes. Government agencies are already working to address the issue of global warming; however, such efforts should be increased so that global warming can be controlled effectively as soon as possible.
