The heat goes on: September sets global record

Last month was the warmest September ever recorded, putting 2014 on track to be the warmest year since records began, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday.

The average global temperature in September was 60.3 degrees. That tops what had been the average temperature for the month, 59 degrees, according to NOAA data going back to 1880.

It was the fourth monthly global record set this year — after May, June and August.

NASA, using separate climate data, also found that last month was the warmest September ever.

From January through September, the average global temperature was 58.7 degrees — more than 1.2 degrees above average. This year is tied with 1998 as the warmest on record for the first nine months of the year.

"If 2014 maintains this temperature departure from average for the remainder of the year, it will be the warmest year on record," the NOAA report said.

"This is one of many indicators that climate change has not stopped and that it continues to be one of the most important issues facing humanity," University of Illinois climate scientist Donald Wuebbles said.

The USA was a bit warmer than average in September but not dramatically. The month was only the 25th-warmest September on record, according to NOAA.

Contributing: The Associated Press