The average annual temperature in 2006 for the contiguous United States will likely be the third warmest on record since 1880, according to scientists at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.
The average temperature for this year, based on preliminary data, will likely be 2 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average.
Globally in 2006, the annual temperature for combined land and ocean surfaces is expected to be sixth warmest on record.
Including this year's global data, six of the seven warmest years since 1880 have occurred since 2001, and the ten warmest years have occurred since 1995.
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