Climate Signals: Record global daily temperatures, Sea Surface temperatures, and Antarctic sea ice extent decline

Across the globe we are seeing incredible anomalies in global temperatures, sea surface temperatures and Antarctic sea ice extent decline.

Record global daily temperatures in July

"23rd day of record global temperatures, likely the hottest 23 days in the last 100,000+ years, making much of the planet unsafe for children and other living things." Professor Eliot Jacobson

Sea Surface Temperatures

Global SST anomaly map 25 July 2023.

Time series for Global Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly

North Atlantic Sea surface temperatures

Time series for North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomaly.

Comparison of North Atlantic Sea Surface temperatures for July 24 from 1982 to 2023

North Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly - Differnce from the mean

For the North Atlantic sea surface temperatures deviation from mean Professor Eliot Jacobson articulated that there are conflicting reasons for the sudden increase in June and it is likely a combination of factors:

• anthropogenic global warming contribution
• early onset of El Nino
• reduction in Sahara dust storms shading the southern part of North Atlantic
• Changes to shipping high sulfate aerosol emissions due to an IMO regulation in 2020
• Atmospheric variability including behaviour of the jet stream

Antarctic sea ice extent trend at greater than 6 standard deviations from mean

"Extent is now 6.4 standard deviations below the 1991-2020 mean. If the distribution was normal (hint. it isn't) and the climate was not changing (hint. it is.), then 6.4 standard deviations would correspond to odds of about 1-in-13,000,000,000  (1-in-13 billion)." Professor Eliot Jacobson

Emerging tipping points in Antarctica

 

"29 Jun 2023 - Antarctica currently has very little sea ice – the lowest ever recorded. What are the causes and likely consequences of this reduction?

"Host Ade Adepitan speaks to CCAG experts Professor Nerilie Abram, Sir David King, and Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, as well as our guests senior research scientist Ted Scambos and sea ice expert Dr Petra Heil."