RSS temperatures

 

Global monthly average lower troposphere temperature since 1979 according to Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). This graph uses data obtained by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) TIROS-N satellite, and interpreted by Dr. Carl Mears (RSS). The thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 yr average. The cooling and warming periods directly influenced by the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the 1998 El Niño, respectively, are clearly visible. Click here for a description of RSS MSU data products. Please note that RSS November 2008 changed from Version 3.1 to Version 3.2 of their MSU/AMSU lower tropospheric (TLT) temperature product, making a number of small changes and improvements to quality control and merging methods. Click here to read an informally description of the changes made. IPCC = foundation of the International Panel on Climate Change (November 1988).