Introduction

The September-November 2003 mean temperature was above the 1988-2002 average in Argentina, the Middle East and the Greater Horn of Africa as shown in the adjacent map of blended satellite and in situ data. Cooler than average temperatures occurred in Pakistan, Iran and southern portions of Australia. The mean position of upper level ridges of high pressure and troughs of low pressure (depicted by positive and negative 500 millibar height anomalies) are generally reflected by areas of positive and negative temperature anomalies at the surface, respectively. For all Global map products see the Climate Monitoring Products page.

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November temperature anomalies calculated from the Global Historical Climatology Network data set of land surface stations (using a 1961-1990 base period) show above average temperatures throughout Europe, the eastern half of the United States and Scandinavia. Monthly temperatures were 3-5°C (5.4-9.0°F) above the mean. Cooler than average temperatures were present throughout the western U.S., Kazakhstan and much of Russia where monthly temperatures were as much as 2-4°C (3.6-7.2°F) below average. For all Global map products see the Climate Monitoring Products page.

Temperature

November For November 2003, the global average land and ocean surface temperature was 0.59°C (1.10°F) above the 1880-2002 average, ranking as the third warmest November in the period of record The warmest November occurred in 2001, when the global anomaly was +0.65°C (+1.17°F) Globally averaged land temperatures were fourth warmest on record, 0.78°C (1.40°F) above the long-term mean

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November 2003 temperatures averaged across the Northern Hemisphere were second warmest on record, 0.78°C (1.40°F) above the long term mean Temperatures averaged throughout the Southern Hemisphere were ninth warmest, 0.37°C (0.67°F) above average

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September-November For September-November 2003, the global average land and ocean surface temperature was 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the long term mean, warmest for boreal fall. Ocean surface temperatures were 0.52°C (0.94°F) above the 1880-2002 mean, second warmest for September-November 2003. September-November 2003 temperatures averaged across the Northern Hemisphere were warmest on record, 0.77°C (1.39°F) above the long term mean Temperatures averaged throughout the Southern Hemisphere were fifth warmest, 0.46°C (0.83°F) above average

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January-November For January-November 2003, the global average land and ocean surface temperature was 0.57°C (1.03°F) above the long term mean, third warmest Globally averaged land temperatures were third warmest on record, 0.85°C (1.53°F) above the long-term mean Globally averaged ocean surface temperatures were 0.44°C (0.80°F) above the 1880-2002 mean, second warmest for January-November 2003. January-November 2003 temperatures averaged across the Northern Hemisphere were third warmest on record, 0.65°C (1.17°F) above the long term mean Temperatures averaged throughout the Southern Hemisphere were third warmest, 0.46°C (0.83°F) above average

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Serial monthly global surface temperature departures with respect to a 1971-2000 mean are shown in the figure to the left Globally averaged surface temperatures (land and ocean) have been warmer than the 1971-2000 average for the last 91 consecutive months

Precipitation

During September-November 2003, much above average precipitation fell in the Northeastern U.S., Indonesia and Spain Below average precipitation was observed in Scandinavia, the eastern half of Australia and southern India During the month of November 2003 , unusually wet weather occurred in Alaska, Western Europe and Venezuela while areas of India, China and Malaysia experienced drier than average conditions. Additional regional analysis can be found on the Global Hazards page

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ENSO SST Analysis

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Sea surface temperatures were slightly above average over much of the equatorial Pacific (as shown in the adjacent animation of weekly sea surface temperature anomalies), indicating a likely development of a weak El Niño. A comprehensive summary of November 2003 ENSO conditions can be found on the ENSO monitoring page. For the latest advisory on ENSO conditions go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and the CPC ENSO Diagnostic Discussion Images of sea surface temperature conditions are available for all months to date during 2003 at the weekly sst page

Microwave Sounding Unit Data

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Temperatures in the lowest 8km (5 miles) of the troposphere were 0.21°C (0.38°F) above the 1979-1998 average during September-November 2003, the third warmest fall since satellite records began in 1979 Temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere were 0.33°C (0.60°F) above the mean for September-November 2003, the second warmest fall since satellite records began in 1979 Temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere were 0.10°C (0.18°F) above the mean for September-November 2003, the eighth warmest fall since satellite records began in 1979 Meanwhile, temperatures for November 2003 in the lower troposphere were 0.20°C (0.35°F) above average, the fourth warmest November since satellite records began in 1979

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September-November 2003 temperatures were below the 1984-1990 average in the lower stratosphere, 0.55°C (0.98°F) cooler than the mean Stratospheric temperatures in November 2003 were also below average globally, with a departure of -0.54°C (-0.98°F)

  For additional details on precipitation and temperatures in November, see the Global Hazards page .

References:

Peterson, T.C. and R.S. Vose, 1997: An Overview of the Global Historical Climatology Network Database. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 78, 2837-2849.

For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:

Climate Services Division
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fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
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For questions about this report, please contact:

David Easterling
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
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Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: David.Easterling@noaa.gov

Jay Lawrimore
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
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Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov

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