Zack Labe

@zacklabe.com

Climate Scientist at @climatecentral.org | PhD | Passionate about improving science communication through data-driven stories | Harrisburg, PA | https://zacklabe.com/

Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are only my own.

@zacklabe.com

Outside of the #Antarctic, temperatures have been above average for nearly all areas of our planet in the last three months. This is clear when looking at each latitude band.

[Plot shows zonal-mean surface air temperature anomalies, where latitude = y-axis (not scaled by distance). Data: GISTEMPv4]

Bar graph showing zonal mean surface air temperature anomalies for the period of July 2026 to September 2026. Most all latitude bands, except the Antarctic, observed above average temperature anomalies, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
@zacklabe.com

This is the standard baseline used by NOAA NCEI, who produces the dataset, and so it’s intended to be consistent with their data interpretation.

@alaskawx.bsky.socialReposted by @zacklabe.com

Sea surface temps in the Pacific Ocean along and south of the Aleutian Islands have been at/near record high levels all year (NOAA OISSTv2.1 data since 1982). This impacts storms moving across this region by increasing moisture that can bring north into mainland Alaska. #akwx #Pacific #SST #Climate

Time series plot showing the monthly average sea surface temperature in the north central Pacific Ocean between 40°EN and 53°N and 160°E and 160°W, roughly the area along and about 800 miles south of the Aleutian Islands. Observations between 1982 and 2025 are summarized as gray band between the highest and lowest values. The 1991-2020 average is shown as smoothed dark line. Monthly values for 2026 are shown individually.
@sciam.bsky.socialReposted by @zacklabe.com

Last month was the hottest September ever recorded in the contiguous U.S.—a sobering record for an already historically hot year.

@zacklabe.com

Yep exactly! I had no idea the extent to which is this a public health hazard due to rising sodium levels in our drinking water too.

@zacklabe.com

I enjoyed the opportunity to share how winters are changing across the Northeast at the New York State Salt Summit this week! My talk explored how warming temperatures are changing winter hazards, alongside discussions about safety and the impacts of road salt on freshwater and public health.

Photo of the stage at the New York State Salt Summit, with more information and the agenda here: https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/2026-salt-summit-agenda?blm_aid=1548477441Picture of the agenda of the New York State Salt Summit, which is here: https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/2026-salt-summit-agenda?blm_aid=1548477441.Picture of a snowplow on a sunny warm day.
@zacklabe.com

Yes, this data is correct. This mean state SST seasonality is mostly due to the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone during summer, which is linked to a shift in the tropical circulation that results in an increase in equatorial upwelling in this region (e.g., the cold tongue).

Older posts