Global Highlights

• The combined global land and ocean surface temperature for September 2009 was 0.62 °C (1.12 °F) above the 20^th century average of 15.0 °C (59.0 °F). This was the second warmest September on record, behind 2005, and the 33^rd consecutive September with a global temperature above the 20^th Century average. The last below-average September occurred in 1976.
• The global land surface temperature for September 2009 was 0.97 °C (1.75 °F) above the 20^th Century average of 12.0 °C (53.6 °F), and ranked as the second warmest September on record, also behind 2005.
• The worldwide ocean temperature tied with 2004 as the fifth warmest September on record, 0.50 °C (0.90 °F) above the 20^th Century average of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F). Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures were widespread, particularly in lower latitudes. The near-Antarctic southern ocean and the Gulf of Alaska featured notable cooler-than-average temperatures.
• For the year to date, the global combined land and ocean surface temperature of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) was the 6th warmest, January-through-September period on record. This value is 0.55 °C (0.99 °F) above the 20^th century average.
• A weak El Niño persisted across the equatorial Pacific Ocean during September. Sea surface temperature observations in the equatorial Pacific Ocean during the month remained above average. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, El Niño is expected to strengthen and last through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2009-2010.