Last month was 2nd warmest December on record [1880 to date] after 2015,
being 0.2C cooler.

2017 was also the 2nd warmest year, being 0.1C cooler than last year.

Although last year had not been affected by an official El Nino event,
the first 3 months would have been classified as an El Nino under the
old descriptions, with the tropical seas of the western Pacific being up
to 4C warmer than normal. Wind patterns, both low and high-level also
were typical of an El Nino situation. Disasters in South America during
that period were also typical for such an event.

Although the Pacific Decadal Oscillation [PDO] Index fell to near zero
in October, it rose to 0.5 for December, making it the 4th year in a row
with no negative months. This has not happened before since records
began in 1900.

See this link for more info:
https://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20180118/

--
Graham P Davis, Bracknell, Berks. Web-site: http://www.scarlet-jade.com/
"There is nothing more frustrating than playing hide and seek with a
deaf wolf." [Constable Benton Fraser RCMP]
OS: Linux [openSUSE Tumbleweed]