About the average global temperature maps
Data currency
The dataset used for the global temperature maps and charts is out of date.
For current global temperature data, go to: British Met Office Hadley Centre observations datasets
Analyses available
Global average temperature maps are available for annual and seasonal temperature. Long-term averages have been calculated over the standard 30-year period 1961-1990. A 30-year period is used as it acts to largely smooth out the year-to-year variations of climate.
Interpreting the analyses
The average temperature maps can be used in conjunction with the temperature trend maps to provide an indication of how a trend compares to the long-term average. For example, what might seem like a large trend in a particular region might not be all that significant if the average temperature is high.
Further information
Brohan, P., J.J. Kennedy, I. Haris, S.F.B. Tett and P.D. Jones, 2006. Uncertainty estimates in regional and global observed temperature changes: a new dataset from 1850. J. Geophysical Research 111, D12106, doi:10.1029/2005JD006548
Jones, P.D., New, M., Parker, D.E., Martin, S. and Rigor, I.G., 1999. Surface air temperature and its variations over the last 150 years. Reviews of Geophysics 37, 173-199.
