3 years ago

February 2023 Was Earth’s Fourth-Warmest February on Record

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Nicholas Vincent is a passionate environmentalist and freelance writer. He is deeply committed to promoting... Read More

Sun rising over Los Angeles city skyline

February 2023 was the fourth-warmest February since global record-keeping began in 1850, marking a 0.97°C (1.75°F) increase above the 20th-century average. This information comes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, with NASA, the European Copernicus Climate change Service, and the Japan Meteorological Agency confirming similar findings.

Despite some regions experiencing colder-than-average temperatures – such as the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles standing in front of snow-covered mountains – the overall trend remains clear: our planet is getting warmer. Land areas had their fourth-warmest February on record, with global ocean temperatures coming in fifth. Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa each recorded top-20 warmest Februaries, with Oceania and North America registering warmer-than-average temperatures as well.

The contiguous U.S. experienced its 18th-warmest February and 17th-warmest winter. Ice cover on the Great Lakes dipped to near record-low levels. Furthermore, the three-year La Niña event that began in August 2020 has finally ended. Neutral conditions are expected throughout the Northern Hemisphere spring, followed by a transition to El Niño by late summer and continuing until at least the end of 2023.

In the world of hurricanes, El Niño events typically result in quieter Atlantic hurricane seasons due to increased vertical wind shear over the Atlantic. Since 1960, only four of the 18 El Niño events that occurred during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season had average or above-average Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. The most recent El Niño event took place in 2018, with near-average hurricane activity due to its weak and late development.

Arctic sea ice extent during February 2023 was the third-lowest in the 44-year satellite record, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. However, it’s important to note that winter ice extent is not a reliable indicator of summer and fall ice extent. Meanwhile, Antarctic sea ice extent reached its lowest on record, surpassing the previous all-time low set in February 2022.

These warming trends have far-reaching consequences for our planet, such as unstable land-based ice shelves and disrupted ocean currents. The ongoing Climate change demands urgent attention and action to mitigate its impacts and protect the environment for future generations.

As the climate continues to change, we must strive to understand its implications and act accordingly. We urge you to stay informed, make sustainable choices in your daily life, and Support policies that aim to reduce our carbon footprint. By working together, we can make a difference and help preserve our planet for generations to come. Let’s be proactive and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Sign up for newsletters, follow experts on social media, and never miss an opportunity to learn and share information on Climate change. Remember, every small action counts in our collective effort to combat Climate change and protect our environment. So let’s join forces and take action today for a better tomorrow!