2007 World Climate Data
- Global atmospheric CO2 concentration: 382.9 ppm, +1.85 ppm from 2006
- Surface air temperature anomaly: +0.62°C/1.12°F, 16th all-time 1880-2021
- Precipitation 3.5 mm (0.3%) above 1961-1990 global average
- Global mean sea level: 5.10 mm above 1993-2008 average, +0.56 mm from 2006
- Antarctic ozone hole: max. area 25.2 million km2; minimum O3 108 DU (Dobson Units)
- ENSO: Neutral through August, La Niña through year’s end
Global Conditions
- Above-average temperatures: Russia; Southeastern Europe; Antarctica; Central America & Caribbean; China
- Below-average temperatures: Tropical and subtropical Pacific (La Niña); Argentina; South Africa
- Below-average precipitation: Australia; NW China
- Extreme precipitation: Tabasco, Mexico; Thailand
Global air temperature was at the time within the historical
top-10 (and is no longer because subsequent years have been hotter, including
2021). Northern hemisphere snow cover remained below the 30-year average (1971-2000).
Glaciers also continued to lose mass, with Greenland experiencing a then-record
summer melt for both duration and mass loss.
Ocean sea surface temperatures, heat content and heat flux (transfer of heat to/from the atmosphere) were consistent with the transition from El Niño to La Niña, but positive anomalies for SST and heat content remained throughout the northern Pacific, Arctic, and northern Atlantic. This data set is relatively recent and incomplete, because the technology and resources to monitor mid- and deep-ocean temperatures has not long existed. That said, it’s a fascinating (and alarming) data set.
(As an aside—as I continue to write this series, I’m in
continual amazement at the breadth and complexity of global monitoring systems
available publicly. And going through the years as I have—an exercise I hope
you’re all enjoying—is showing me the evolution of monitoring and reporting
tools with time. My job gets easier the closer to the present day we get,
believe me!)
Global ocean salinity patterns have also been exacerbated in
recent years. Traditionally fresh areas (northeast Pacific; eastern Indian,
west Pacific) have become fresher, while traditionally salty areas (North and
South Atlantic; eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea) are becoming saltier, indicating an
accelerated global water cycle of increased evaporation and precipitation.
(Unfortunately, global salinity and salinity anomaly maps aren’t available for
these years. Have to wait a few installments…)
Tomorrow: 2008 State of the Climate, North America and
Europe.
Be brave, and be well.
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