Publication Date March 21, 2016 | WxShift

2015 One for the Climate Record Books

Record heat. Photo: WxShift
Record heat. Photo: WxShift

The long-term warming of the planet, as well as an exceptionally strong El Niño, led to numerous climate records in 2015, including milestones for global temperatures, carbon dioxide levels and ocean heat, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s annual State of the Climate Report. The WMO report, released Monday, noted that the average global temperature for 2015 was 1.37°F (0.76°C) above the average from 1961-1980, making it the “warmest on record by a clear margin.”