Environment & Energy
In reply to the discussion: Arctic Methane - This Does Not Sound Good... [View all]Bob Wallace
(549 posts)"Most temperature records have 1998 as the warmest year on record"
That's incorrect.
"Global surface temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest on record, according to an analysis released Wednesday by researchers at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York."
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2010-warmest-year.html
The World Meteorological Organization combines the NASA, NOAA and UK Meteorological Office Hadley Center, as well as the satellite data and finds the following...
"In 2010, global average temperature was 0.53°C (0.95°F) above the 1961-90 mean. This value is 0.01°C (0.02°F) above the nominal temperature in 2005, and 0.02°C (0.05°F) above 1998."
http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2011/02/global-temperature-in-2010-hottest-year/
As far as I can tell the only database which shows 1998 being the warmest year on record comes from the Hadley Center's HADCRUT3 which is measurement system begun in the 1800s and under-measures polar temperatures. The "3" is based on 'certain land bases and ships at sea'. Not many land bases and ships at sea at either pole.
The HADCRUT3 is not viewed as an accurate measurement of global temperature but continues to be maintained for historical reasons. The Hadley Center has more advanced databases which better measure global temperatures.