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 8 December 2009
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Year 2009 is likely to rank in the top 10 warmest on record

08/12/2009

The year 2009 is likely to rank in the top ten warmest on record since the beginning of recording climatic conditions in 1850, according to the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Climate change

Climate change

Data compiled by WMO indicate that above-normal temperatures were recorded in most parts of the world this year with only the United States and Canada presenting slightly cooler than average conditions.

WMO says the current nominal ranking of 2009, which does not account for uncertainties in the annual averages, places it as the fifth warmest year.

It notes that the decade between 2000 and 2009 was warmer than the previous one from 1990 to 1999.

WMO Assistant Secretary-General, Jeremiah Lengoasa says that the La Niña phenomenon, characterized by cooler than normal sea surface temperatures is being replaced by the El Niño which is the opposite.

"Climate extremes, including devastating floods, severe drought, snow storms, heat waves and cold waves have been recorded in many parts of the world. Extreme warm events were more frequent and intense in southern South America, Australia and Southern Asia."

Mr. Lengoasa also notes that while the Artic sea cover has declined dramatically over the last 30 years, the extent in 2009 is the third lowest on record behind 2007 and 2008.

Dianne Penn, UN Radio.

(duration:  1'35")

Sound bites

Jeremiah Lengoasa Cut 1

"Climate extremes, including devastating floods, severe drought, snow storms, heat waves and cold waves have been recorded in many parts of the world. Extreme warm events were more frequent and intense in Southern, South America, Australia and Southern Asia."
Duration: 00:00:19

Jeremiah Lengoasa Cut 2

"Here the key point thus far, the year 2009 is likely to rank again in the top ten warmest years on record since 1850 with a nominal ranking estimated as the fifth warmest year on record. You might recall that 2008, when we did the statement we indicated that the global average temperature in 2008 was cooler than the average for the past ten years in part due to a large and very strong La Niña event which developed in 2007 and continued into 2008.
Duration: 00:00:36

Jeremiah Lengoasa Cut 3

"The decade 2000 to 2009, taken as a calendar period of ten years, is likely to be the warmest on record. Out of the ten years of the ending decade, 2000 to 2009, eight years are in the top ten warmest years on record. And so, this year we have recorded above normal temperatures in most parts of the world. Only the United States and Canada presented slightly cooler than average conditions. And thus far very large parts of Southern Asia and Central Africa are likely to have the warmest years on record."
Duration: 00:00:42

Jeremiah Lengoasa Cut 4

"2009 also sees the third lowest Arctic sea ice cover after 2007 and 2008. As you would recall from previous briefings, we have always indicated that Arctic sea ice has declined dramatically over the last thirty years and the extent during 2009 is the third lowest on record behind the 2007 record and 2008."
Duration: 00:00:29

Jeremiah Lengoasa Cut 5

"We are ending the La Niña and developing El Niño phenomenon and during June to September 2009, the sea surface temperatures were generally one degree warmer than the long-term average across the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific. And the El Niño event is currently under way."
Duration: 00:00:23