From BBC, Thursday, December 2, 2010:
Temperatures reached record levels in several regions during 2010, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says, confirming the year is likely to be among the warmest three on record.
Parts of Russia, Greenland, Canada, China, North Africa and South Asia all saw the mercury soar to record levels.
The three main temperature records show 2010 as the warmest, or joint warmest, year in the instrumental record.
The UK Met Office suggests 2011 will be cooler, as La Nina conditions dominate.
This brings colder than average water to the top of the eastern Pacific Ocean, which lowers temperatures globally.
Continue reading: 2010 sets new temperature records