The average global temperature for July 2012 was more than 1°
Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, making it the fourth
warmest July since record keeping began in 1880. July 2012 also
marks the 36th consecutive July and the 329th consecutive month
with a global temperature above the 20th-century average. The
last July with below-average temperature was July 1976, and the
last month with below-average temperature was February 1985. The
map above shows July temperatures relative to average across the
globe. Red indicates temperatures up to 11°Fahrenheit warmer
than the 1981–2010 average, and blue indicates temperatures up
to 11°Fahrenheit cooler than the average. Most areas of the
world experienced higher-than-average monthly temperatures. The
most unusually warm spots were the central U.S. and Canada,
Greenland, and southeastern Europe. However, Australia, northern
and western Europe, eastern Russia, Alaska, and southern South
America were notably cooler than average. Considering only land
areas, global