Global and regional climate in 2020

2020 was one of the three warmest years on record globally, despite La Niña conditions that developed in the latter half of the year. Ocean heat content to a depth of 2000m reached new record highs in 2020 and global sea level was comparable to the record set in 2019. Despite reduced anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concentrations of the greenhouse gas reached record levels once again. For the UK, it was a very wet, warm and sunny year with UK-average rainfall, temperature and sunshine all lying in the top 10 years on record. Notable events in the UK include the wettest February on record and one of the UK’s wettest days on record, 3 October.

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