The above figure shows November 1999 temperature anomalies calculated from available in-situ stations using a 1961-1990 base period. Temperatures were above normal over much of North America, eastern Asia, and northern Europe. Exceptionally warm anomalies, over 5C, were observed in Scandanavia, central United States and Canada, and Mongolia. Below normal temperatures were reported over most of south central South America. In contrast to North America, cooler to much cooler than normal temperatures occurred in Spain and France. The coolest anomalies were observed over portions of western Russia and Australia.

Temperature

larger image

The preliminary globally averaged surface temperature anomalies for the month, as shown on the time series graphs on the left, indicate continued warm temperatures. Although the combined land and ocean temperature anomaly was well above the 1880-1998 long term average, it was below the record anomaly recorded during the 1997/1998 El Nino episode. The lower temperatures were primarily due to much cooler sea surface temperatures. The November ocean surface temperature anomaly was 0.33 C below the record 1997 anomaly (0.59C). In contrast, the November land surface anomaly was 0.06 C warmer than the 1997 value, but 0.11 C cooler than the highest anomaly recorded in 1990.

Precipitation

larger image

The adjacent map shows the November precipitation anomalies from the 1961-1990 base period. Most of the United States had less than average precipitation, as did western Europe, Uruguay, eastern Argentina and eastern Asia. The South American dry event has continued for about 3 months. Dry conditions in Tasmania and southeastern Australia continued through November.

Several areas werewetter than average. Most notably, the Vietnamese coast experienced a succession of torrential rainstorms that began in October and continued throughout November. Other areas that experienced anomalously wet conditions in November include central Europe and parts of eastern Brazil. For additional details on precipitation and temperatures in November see the Global Regional 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
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue, Room 120
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov

For questions about this report, please contact:

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

Mike Changery
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: mchangry@ncdc.noaa.gov

Top of Page

NCDC / Climate Research / Climate of 1999 / November / Search / Help