text: An ice-filled fjord near Svalbard, Norway, which experienced a record mild winter in 2016. Credit: Getty Images/Moment RF
  More all-time global heat records bit the dust this winter than were initially suspected, according to a new and shocking National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report released Thursday.
  Global average surface temperature anomalies during the December 2015 to February 2016 period. Credit: NOAA
  When compared to average temperatures early in the industrial revolution, it becomes clear that global average surface temperatures -- or at least temperatures in the northern hemisphere -- have been flirting with the internationally-defined climate guardrail of 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above the preindustrial average.
  Temperature departures from average during February 2016. Circled areas indicate areas exceeding NOAA's upper bounds for temperature anomalies. Credit: NOAA NCEI
  The oceans, too, were record warm for the month, at 0.81 degrees Celsius, or 1.46 degrees Fahrenheit, above the 20th century average. This beat previous records set in 1998 and 2015 by a long shot -- by 0.36 degrees Celsius, or 0.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
  Global average temperature anomalies during Feb. 2016. Arrows point to difference between 2016 El Niño and 1998. Credit: NOAA/NCEI