2 February 2015: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has ranked 2014 as the hottest year on record, noting this is part of a continuing trend. After consolidating a number of international datasets, the WMO’s analysis emphasizes that the difference in temperature between the warmest years is only a few hundredths of a degree, within the error margin of global temperature measurements.

WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud explained that the overall warming trend is more important than the ranking of an individual year, stating that an analysis of datasets shows that 2014 was nominally the warmest on record, and acknowledging little difference between the three hottest years on record. He said 14 of the 15 hottest years have all been in the 21st century, and that he expects the warming trend to continue given the rising atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) levels and the increasing warming of the oceans. He indicated that global sea-surface temperatures also reached record levels in 2014.

The WMO statement also notes that the high 2014 temperatures occurred in the absence of a fully developed El Niño, and that high temperatures in 1998 (the hottest year before the 21st century) took place during a strong El-Niño year. Jarraud underscored the importance of weather and climate services in order to increase resilience and help adaptation efforts.

WMO released the global temperature analysis in advance of climate change negotiations to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 8-13 February 2015. The final report on the Status of the Climate in 2014, with full details of regional trends and extreme events, will be available in March 2015. [WMO Press Release] [IISD RS Covergae of the Geneva ADP Session]