August World's Second Hottest, With Some Particular Standout Places

Another month, another red global map. Most places were once
again warmer than normal during August. 

The global temperature figures are in for August and hot times continue. For the world as a whole, August, 2019 was the second warmest August on record, says the National Centers For Environmental Information. 

The oceans were the hottest on record for August.  Due to some cool spots in the southern hemisphere, global land temperatures were fourth warmest on record, so August, 2016 remains Number 1.  

The Northern Hemisphere had its hottest summer on record. Not surprisingly, then, Arctic sea ice in August was at its second lowest level on record.

So far, 2019 is the third warmest on record and the year as a whole is almost guaranteed to be among the five hottest. September is off to a hot start in much of the globe, too, so that will count for something.

There have been some strange local records in recent weeks. The town of Utquiagvik, formerly Barrow on the northern tip of Alaska is usually a pretty cold place with no growing season. Subfreezing temperatures often occur there even in July.

This year, Utquiagvik actually DID have a growing season. As of Sunday, the town has been above freezing since June 25. That's 83 consecutive days above freezing in Utquiagvik. Another remarkable thing is the normal low temperature in early September there is about 30 degrees. Yes, below freezing.

Meanwhile, unlike northern Alaska, Hawaii is supposed to be warm, but this is ridiculous. Since April, Honolulu has broken 16 record highs and tied 19 others, says Hawaii News Now. 

On 28 of the 29 days ending Sunday, record high temperatures occurred somewhere in Hawaii, says Maui Now. 

An intense heat wave has gripped he Deep South, all month, with dozens upon dozens of record highs falling.  Some cities have reported all-time record highs for September.

Here in Vermont, we continue to enjoy a relatively cool September. The sun will be out all week, and by the weekend, we, too will share in the summer-like weather. It could easily be in the low 80s here by Saturday and Sundayh.