Wamer Than Normal But The Ice Grows

The 15 June 2010 report from NOAA concludes that the first six months of the year were the warmest on record around the globe. Temperatures were the warmest across Canada, North Africa and the Middle East. Western Asia, Norway and a small area from Florida to the central U.S. experienced cooler then normal temperatures.

The Southern Ocean and a sizeable portion the East Pacific had cooler then normal temperatures. El Nino conditions switched to La Nina during the first six months of 2010. La Nina is in the process of strengthening and colder than normal water is already pushing past the point halfway between Peru and Indonesia, reaching 160E longitude this week.

NOAA reports that the Arctic sea ice was at its lowest point on record for June, 10.6% below the 20 year average. Meanwhile, Antarctic sea ice has increased 8.3%, the largest extent ever. Just two years ago Antarctic sea ice was melting at a quick pace.

The sea ice data needs to be placed in the context that the data set is limited, only going back to 1979. Nonetheless, it presents a problem for weather forecasters and climatologists because the Antarctic sea ice coverage indicates a cooling of ocean temperatures and a reversal in the climate trend.

Large portions of the South Pacific and South Atlantic reflect this reversal, too, as sea surface temperatures dip below normal.

It won't be known until November if the cooling trend will also begin in the Northern Hemisphere.