Global temperatures have risen to their highest level since modern measurements began in the 19^th century. Scientists said 2014 was the hottest year so far.

NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) both based their joint findings on the analysis of weather records dating back to 1880.

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NASA scientists believe warming oceans did play a major role in increasing global temperatures. This time, the temperature exceeded the previous records set in 2005 and 2010. Researchers said thr 10 hottest years in modern times have taken place since 1997.

Gavin Schmidt, Director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, explained that fluctuations in a year are possible. But long-term trends are attributable to the main sources of climate change: the unabated emission of greenhouse gases.

Extreme heat covered Alaska and much of the western United States last year. Several European countries set temperature records.

Scientists also stated that the ocean surface was strangely warm almost everywhere except around Antarctica. These warmer waters provide the energy that fuels damaging Pacific storms.

The findings also showed this warming contributing to the American West experiencing epic droughts and health waves. Glaciers and Arctic ice sheets continued to retreat, as well. The droughts raised concerns for drinking-water supplies in many areas of Brazil and Australia.

Several scientists concluded the most notable thing about the 2014 record was that it occurred in a year desp;ite the absence of El Niño, a large-scale weather pattern in which the ocean dumps an enormous amount of heat into the atmosphere.

"This is the first year since 1997 that the record warmest year was not an El Niño year at the beginning of the year, because the last three have been", said Schmidt. Simon Donner, associate professor of climatology at the University of British Columbia.

TagsNOAA, NASA, Climate, change, global warming, greenhouse effect, 2014 warmest year, drought, El Nino, extreme heat, Arctic region, glacier ice