Twelve consecutive months of global surface temperature records: June 2023 – May 2024 (NASA/AEF)

Twelve consecutive months of global surface temperature records (June 2023 – May 2024)
From NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
Visualizer: Mark SubbaRao (NASA/GSFC)
Technical Support: Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.) & Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
Web Administrator: Ella Kaplan (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)
Scientist: Gavin A. Schmidt (NASA/GSFC GISS)
Science Supporter: Peter H. Jacobs (NASA/GSFC)
Producer: Stacie Marvin (Maryland State Department of Education)

This slow reveal graph was created in a collaboration between Stacie Marvin (Albert Einstein Fellow) and teams at NASA. Instead of the usual google slide deck, please go to the NASA site for the series of animations and the suggestion questions.

Each month from June 2023 to May 2024 set a record for the highest average global surface temperature.

Temperature anomalies are deviations from a long term global average. In this case the period 1951-1980 is used to define the baseline for the anomaly. These temperatures are based on the GISS Surface Temperature Analysis (GISTEMP v4), an estimate of global surface temperature change. The data file used to create this visualization is publicly accessible here.

Type of Graph: animated line graph

Visualization Source: Mark SubbaRao/NASA

Data Source:
Lenssen, N., G. Schmidt, J. Hansen, M. Menne, A. Persin, R. Ruedy, and D. Zyss, 2019: Improvements in the GISTEMP uncertainty model. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 124, no. 12, 6307-6326, doi:10.1029/2018JD029522.

This dataset can be found at: https://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/

Potential Math Content: line graph, scale, change over time, determining the value of points along the line, units

Potential Content Connections: NASA, global warming, temperatures, climate, science, biology, climate crisis

Sustainable Development Goal(s):
#13 – Climate action
#15 – Life on land