WMO Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2006

This technical document is part of an annual series published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on the status of the global climate. The document notes that all the years since the beginning of the new century, including 2006, rank among the 10 warmest years of the observational period ranging from 1850 to the present. It stresses that in the course of the year, Australia, the United States of America and parts of Europe experienced exceptional heat waves. The 2006 typhoon season, even if below average in terms of the number of events, caused disastrous impacts on some south-east Asian nations. Devastating floods and landslides due to heavy precipitation events were reported worldwide and especially affected the Greater Horn of Africa and the Philippines. Prolonged drought conditions persisted in Africa, Australia, China and the United States. In addition, the year 2006 continued the pattern of sharply decreasing Arctic sea ice, and the Antarctic ozone depletion reached new record values.