January 2020 was the warmest on record globally
NOAA – January 2020 was the warmest on record, globally. This is not a random anomaly in the 141 year climate record. The four warmest Januaries have all come since 2016, strong evidence that the climate continues to warm.
The latest report released this week by NOAA shows large temperature anomalies worldwide, especially in the eastern United States and across the Eurasian continent.
The report also highlights the reduction of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, both regions in the top 10 lowest for sea ice extent.
Nationally, January was the 5th warmest in the continental United States. With the much of the eastern half of the country ranking in the top 10 warmest, including the Great Lakes Region.
This week’s blast of cold and snow has been very rare this season. A blanket of snow could be seen Friday across the Midwest.
MODIS visible satellite image 2/14/2020
The recent blast of cold air though still wasn’t enough to add much ice to Lake Michigan. This is time of year is typically the maximum extend of shoreline protecting lake ice. Lake Michigan and the entire Great Lakes basin are much below normal.
Ice Cover on #LakeMichigan is only ~10%, MUCH below average as is the entire #GreatLakes basin. pic.twitter.com/Q4wmvFGZtY
— Tom Coomes (@TomCoomes) February 14, 2020
Two weeks ago we told you that South Bend experienced one of its warmest Januaries on record and that winter 2020 would also one of the warmest.
There will still be bouts of cold and snowy winters but as the climate continues to warm, winters like this year are more likely than a snowy and cold one.