"NOAA Confirms 2016 As Hottest Year On Record For The Planet"

"The federal government confirmed 2016 as the planet's warmest year on record, according to a report released Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The combined influence of long-term global warming and a strong El Niño early in the year led to last year's all-time record heat, NOAA said.

While El Niño is a natural warming of Pacific Ocean water, man-made global warming is caused by greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal."

Doyle Rice reports for USA TODAY August 10, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"2016 Confirmed As Planet's Hottest Year" (Politico)

"2016 Weather Report: Extreme And Anything But Normal" (AP)