The numbers are in: 2007 (from January till November) has been the 7th warmest year on record, according to the UK’s meterological office. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration puts it at 5th.

It’s easy to drown in these kinds of statistics, so let’s cut to the chase: the ten warmest years since 1850 have all happened since 1995. If it seems odd to release results for the year’s temperature in November (before the year ends), note that it comes in time to be presented at the UN Climate Change meeting in Bali.

There’s a nice crunching of the UK numbers in The Times, while Reuters rounds up some extreme weather disasters.

Those aware that there was some hyped controversy about records like this a few months ago might like to check out this Real Climate post.

The full report on the climate of 2007 should soon be available on the WMO website.

Cross-posted from Nicola Jones on The Great Beyond