2010 could become the hottest year

September 16, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – After eight months, until this moment 2010 is marching side by side with 1998 for the record of the hottest year in record.

The average global temperature from January to August was 14.7 degrees Celsius (58.5 degrees Fahrenheit), tying the heat mark imposed for the same period in 1998, according to information released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Although 1998 was the warmest year during the first eight months, 2005 has been the hottest to date for a full year.

The Climate Information Center of NOAA also indicated that 2010 was the third warmest month of August in record, with an average temperature throughout the month of 16.2 degrees Celsius (61.2 degrees Fahrenheit). The warmest August in record was in 1998, followed by 2009. The meteorological summer, between June and August, had an average temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius (61.3 degrees Fahrenheit), making it the second hottest summer on record worldwide, after 1998.