2024 was just declared the hottest on record, supplanting 2023 as the previous record holder. Our planet is clearly warming. But like most climate-related phenomena, impacts vary based on geography. While Earth is warming in total, not all parts are warming at the same rate or at the same time. Understanding these variations can help scientists forecast future changes and climate-related impacts.
This animated map from NASA Scientific Visualization Studio shows how different parts of our planet are warming over time. It uses GISS Surface Temperature Analysis data for temperature anomalies from 1880 to 2024.
The map divides Earth into eight horizontal slices by latitude. Reds indicate warmer temperatures relative to the 1951 to 1980 baseline. Blues show colder temperatures. Darker reds and blues represent the most extreme variations.
As the map animates, each slice shows the temperature anomaly by year. The chart next to the map also records each anomaly with a tick, showing the distribution of temperature anomalies over time by each slice. With both visuals, you can see how different parts of Earth are warming over time.
Even 100 years ago, some parts of Earth experienced warmer relative temperatures. And until the 1970s, most temperature anomalies fell below the baseline. But after this point, the map and chart turn consistently red. The globe is bathed in crimson when the animation ends in 2024. Several ticks on the chart show anomalies exceeding 4 degrees Fahrenheit at the North Pole.
Overall, the range of the ticks in the chart show the polar regions of Earth have endured the most extreme fluctuations in temperature. They also reveal that the Arctic is warming far faster than any other region. These findings line up with observed losses of polar ice mass and sea ice. They also portend further acceleration in sea level rise.
More to Explore
- Discover more maps related to extreme heat.
- Check out another map that divides Earth into slices by latitude based on population.
