Understanding Climate

The most recent maximum (September 2020) was above the long-term average, and the most recent minimum (February 2021) was below the long-term average, but neither set a record. Antarctic sea ice has greater year-to-year variability than the Arctic, and little evidence of long-term change.

February 2021 was the United States' coldest February in 30 years, but the winter overall was warmer than average. Much of the West remained in some level of drought.

Much of North America was warm and dry in January 2021, while Europe and parts of Russia were cool and wet.

Sea level has risen 8-9 inches since 1880, and the rate is accelerating thanks to glacier and ice sheet melt.