International, authoritative climate report states 2018 was the fourth warmest year on record.
Globally, 2015 set a new record for the most extremely warm days in the 66-year record (1.8 times more than the average). The number of extremely warm days and nights was the highest ever recorded in western North America, parts of central Europe, and central Asia.
2015 was a tough year for vegetation, both natural and agricultural, with a near-record area of global land surfaces in some state of drought.
Cool conditions prevailed across large parts of the North America in 2014. Everywhere else, the frequency of warm days was higher than average, and the frequency of cold nights was below average.
In 2014, the upper ocean held more heat than average throughout most of the major ocean basins.
In 2014, precipitation over land was generally below average, while precipitation over the oceans was above average.
Part science expert, part ringmaster, Jessica Blunden shares the challenges and the value of putting together the State of the Climate report every year.