November Highlights:

• Temperatures were above average over much of the globe, with Asia having its warmest November on record. 
• The year-to-date global temperature was the warmest such period on record, with several continents ranking first.
• Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was slightly below average in November whereas global sea ice extent ranked second lowest on record. 
• Global tropical cyclone activity tied the long-term record with 12 named storms, including three in the Atlantic Basin.

Temperature

The November global surface temperature was 2.41°F (1.34°C) above the 20th-century average of 55.2°F (12.9°C), making it the second-warmest November on record, 0.14°F (0.08°C) below November 2023. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a >99% chance that 2024 will rank as the warmest year on record.

November temperatures were above average across much of the global land surface except for western North America, Greenland, central Europe, central Africa and Antarctica. Overall it was the second-warmest November on record over global land areas. Asia had its warmest November on record while South America and Oceania were second warmest. Approximately 11% of the world’s surface had a record-high November temperature. Sea surface temperatures were above average over most areas, while much of the eastern Pacific was below average, as were parts of the western North Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The global ocean was the second warmest on record for November.

The year-to-date (January–November) global surface temperature was 2.30°F (1.28°C) above the 20th-century average, making it the warmest such period on record. Every continent has had its warmest year-to-date period, except for Asia, which was second warmest.

Snow Cover

The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in November was slightly below average. Snow cover over North America was below average (by 170,000 square miles), and Eurasia was also slightly below average (by 110,000 square miles). Much of central and southern Canada were below average, as was much of central Europe, southwestern China and Mongolia.

Sea Ice

Global sea ice extent was the second smallest in the 46-year record at 9.00 million square miles, which was 1.05 million square miles below the 1991–2020 average. Arctic sea ice extent was below average (by 400,000 square miles), ranking third lowest on record, and Antarctic extent was also below average (by 650,000 square miles), ranking lowest on record.

Tropical Cyclones

Twelve named storms occurred across the globe in November, which ties for the most on record. The Atlantic basin saw three tropical cyclones during November, including Hurricane Rafael, which peaked as a Category 3. Through the end of November there have been 82 named storms worldwide, which matches the long-term average.

For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our November 2024 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.