Washington: Last year, 2010, was one of the two warmest years on record worldwide, says the 2010 State of the Climate report. The year 2005 tops the list of warmest years.
The report has just been released by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The report, issued in coordination with the American Meteorological Society, was compiled by 368 scientists from 45 countries.
It provides a detailed, yearly update on global climate indicators, notable climate events and other climate information from every continent.
This year`s report tracks 41 climate indicators, four more than last year, including temperature of the lower and upper atmosphere, precipitation, greenhouse gases, humidity, cloud cover, ocean temperature, salinity, sea ice, glaciers, and snow cover.
Each indicator includes thousands of measurements from multiple independent datasets that allow scientists to identify overall trends, according to an NOAA statement.
"We`re continuing to closely track these indicators because it is quite clear that the climate of the past cannot be assumed to represent the climate of the future," said Thomas R. Karl, director of NOAA`s National Climatic Data Centre.
"These indicators are vital for understanding and making reliable projections of future climate," said Thomas R. Karl, director of NOAA`s National Climatic Data Centre.
Last year was marked by important climate oscillations like the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Arctic Oscillation, which affected regional climates and contributed to many of the world`s significant weather events in 2010.
IANS
