The worlds ocean surface temperature was the warmest for any August on record, and the warmest on record averaged for any June-August summer season, according to NOAAs National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. World-wide records began in 1880. Shown here is a visualization of the August global temperature anomalies--or in other words, how the average temperature in August differs from the average climate of 1961-1990. Notice that in some areas, such as the central United States, temperatures were much cooler than average. But overall, land and ocean temperatures were several degrees above normal. (less info)