Global temperatures in September were eighth warmest on record

NOAA: The Earth experienced its eighth warmest September since record keeping began in 1880. The annual minimum Arctic sea ice extent was reached on September 9 and ranked as the second smallest extent since satellite records began in 1979. This monthly analysis from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center is part of the suite of climate services NOAA provides government, business and community leaders so they can make informed decisions.

...Global Temperature Highlights: Year to date

• The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for the January – September period was 0.94˚F (0.52˚C) above the 20th century average of 57.5˚F (14.1˚C), making it the 11th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.18˚F (0.10˚C).
• The January – September worldwide land surface temperature was 1.44˚F (0.80˚C) above the 20th century average — the seventh warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/- 0.36˚F (0.20˚C). The global ocean surface temperature for the year to date was 0.74˚F (0.41˚C) above the 20th century average and was the 12th warmest such period on record. The margin of error is +/-0.07˚F (0.04˚C).
• La Niña conditions strengthened during September. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, La Niña is expected to gradually strengthen further and continue into the Northern Hemisphere winter 2011/12.

The map of temperature anomalies for September 2011 is from NOAA's website