From the ArcaMax Publishing, Science & Technology Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/technology/s-569981-878678
ASHVILLE, N.C. (UPI) -- A U.S. analysis shows combined average global
land and ocean surface temperatures during May made it the fourth
warmest since record keeping began in 1880.
The analysis -- conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. -- shows the
May 2009 combined global land and ocean surface temperature was 0.95
degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average of 58.6 degrees
Fahrenheit.
The global land surface temperature was 1.19 degrees Fahrenheit above
the 20th century average of 52 degrees, making it the eighth warmest
May on record in that category.
Based on NOAA satellite observations, Northern Hemisphere snow cover
last month was the seventh lowest for May during the 1967-2009 period.
The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was 0.73 million square
miles below the 1967-2009 average of 7.8 million square miles.
Scientist said the analysis is based on preliminary data, which are
subject to revision.