Shock of Shocks, 2015 Was the Hottest Year On Record

According to both NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, which measures the Earth’s surface temperature in a slightly different way, 2015 averaged 14.79 C, the hottest since 1880 when records began. However, past year was the first time the global average temperature was 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) or more above the pre-industrial average, NASA said, in a statement released Wednesday.

The year 2015 smashed records for the hottest average surface temperatures recorded on Earth. The previous record, which was set the year before in 2014, was left behind by what is considered a wide margin when it comes to global averages (0.23 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.13 Celsius). These rising temperatures on the planet’s atmosphere were greatly attributed to the continuing increase of carbon dioxide emissions along with other man-made factors that intensify the greenhouse effect.

A year ago marked the fourth time a global temperature record has been set this century.

According to the report 2015 is the warmest year on record globally.

And then the year was capped off with a powerful El Nino event that led to unseasonably warm storms during the holiday season, including the appearance of Hurricane Patricia, the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. The two agencies say that there’s a 94% certainty that 2015 is the hottest year on record. Most of this increase has occurred since 1981, and 15 of the 16 hottest years on record have happened since the turn of the century.

The Northern Hemisphere by itself experienced a 2.59° F rise in land temperatures over the 20 century average. “If 2016 turns out to be as warm as we anticipate, that would be unprecedented in our record book”.

“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and NASAs vital work on this important issue affects every person on Earth, ” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

NOAA has tracked Earth’s temperature since 1880.

Last year was also the second driest year on record for Singapore, with a total annual rainfall of 1,266.8mm, following 1997’s 1,118.9mm, said the Meteorological Service Singapore.

And in NY in December, temperatures were warm enough that many were in spring clothing.