Clouds played a part, according to a study in Science, which identified a reduction in low-lying cloud cover that combined with El Niño led to the temperature spike.
The reduction in low-lying cloud coverage raises questions; its cause remains a mystery, suggesting that global warming might be influencing cloud patterns.
'I would be very careful about saying this is clear evidence [of acceleration], but there might be something going on,' said co-author Helge Goessling.
While the spike can be partly attributed to El Niño and reduced pollution, researchers caution that it may signify a troubling trend in climate change.
Collection
[
|
...
]