Relative to the whole period since 1850/1880, 2022 was warm, but cooler than most years since 2016. A moderate La Niña episode played out during the year, underlining the importance of ocean-atmosphere exchanges.
Globally, since 2004, the upper 1900m of the oceans have experienced net warming of about 0.07°C. The maximum net warming (about 0.2°C) affects the uppermost 100m. This is seen mainly in regions near the Equator, where the greatest amount of solar radiation is received. At greater depths, a small (about 0.025°C) net warming has occurred between 2004 and 2020.
While the satellite-derived record suggests a global sea level rise of about 3.4mm per year or more, data from tide gauges all over the world suggest a stable average global sea-level rise of 1–2mm per year. The measurements do not indicate any recent acceleration (or deceleration).
Considering seasonal changes in the Northern Hemisphere since 1979, autumn extent is slightly increasing, mid-winter extent is basically stable, and spring extent is slightly decreasing. In 2022, the Northern Hemisphere seasonal snow cover extent was near the 1972–2021 average.
