Global climate 2000
The year 2000 was the 22nd consecutive year with a global surface air temperature higher than the 1961-1990 normal, according to the latest World Meteorological Organization summary of world climate.
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Mean surface air temperature north of 30°N as annual departures from the 1961-90 mean. |
Despite regional cooling due to the continuing La Niña event in the tropical Pacific, the year was the seventh warmest since 1961. The warmth was most marked over extra-tropical northern latitudes. A severe heat wave over southern Europe claimed many lives as temperatures rose above 43°C mid-year.
Tropical storms caused widespread damage in Central America, record rainfall in Japan and serious flooding over the Korean Peninsula and Vietnam. Storms also brought flooding and much suffering to Madagascar, Mozambique and southern Africa early in the year.
Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding during the summer monsoon season over much of south and southeast Asia, with over ten million people affected in India. Coupled with mudslides, heavy rainfall caused widespread devastation in Central and South America during May and June. Much of the disruption in tropical rainfall was associated with the La Niña event.
Further information
The “Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2000”
can be obtained from the World Meteorological Organization, PO Box
2300, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland. Web: www.wmo.ch.