This September was the warmest on record since 1880–the year scientists first began to track global data on temperatures.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s announcement clips on the heels of what was also the warmest August on record, which NASA said suggests an unfortunate trend in global heating.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates that an El Niño will start by the end of the year, due to warmer temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, and continue into spring 2015. An El Niño can have devastating impact across the globe, with repercussions that include abnormal temperatures and extreme weather. The last strong El Niño occurred in 1997-98.
PHOTOS: This Astronaut's Images of Earth Look Like Beautiful Abstract Paintings
"Harsh land. Windswept valleys in northern #Africa"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 6, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA"Land use in South Africa, you can see where water is."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 9, 2014.Alexander Gerst—ESA"Irrigation in the #Sahara #Desert looks like a challenging task from up here... #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 28, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA"An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA"An open history book of our planet: the # Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA"Close-up of gigantic Salar of Uyuni in Bolivia. You can even see the salt fields and the 'Cactus Island'."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 15, 2014.Alexander Gerst—ESA"The #Moon was still behind the horizon. A #FataMorgana of atmospherical refraction #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 14, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA"When I took this photo, I was sure these are clouds. But now I'm not so sure... #BlueDot"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 7, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA"Probably a river in Kazakhstan or slightly west of it."—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 29, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA/SIPA USA"An open history book of our planet: the #Sahara Desert"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 26, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA"Human-made fires in East Africa. Can you spot them?"—Alexander Gerst via Twitter on July 9, 2014Alexander Gerst—ESA
