Signs of 2012

Animals continue to die off the coast of South America, and scientists are blaming climate change.

Over the past week, at least 2,300 dead birds were found along the coast of Chile. Dozens of types of birds washed ashore, with many captured in fisherman’s nets.

Just last week we reported the deaths of over 1,400 pelicans along the shores of Peru. Reported numbers have now surpassed 5,000, and Peruvian authorities are also blaming warmer than normal waters.

Peruvian authorities state there is an abundance of warm water running through marine currents across the globe, altering the marine ecosystem.

And, on Monday morning, Chile and Peru started the week with a 6.2 magnitude earthquake along their border. Related?

• More: 2,300 dead birds found along Chilean beaches
• Experts blame fishermen, warmer waters, for bird deaths
• Peru warns people to stay off their beaches
• May 14: 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Chile/Peru border

Are you feeling the heat? 2012 is shaping up to be the warmest year on record.

• At an average of 51.1 degrees, March 2012 was the warmest ever recorded; records date back to 1895
• Over 15,000 temperature records were recorded in March - in the U.S. alone
• January-March was the warmest first quarter on record
• Every state in the nation experienced at least one record warm daily temperature during March
• On the contrary, Alaska had its ninth coolest January-March period on record, and it’s tenth coolest March

While climate change and global warming remain hot button issues, NOAA analysts have stated that greenhouse gases “likely contributed on the order of 5% to 10% of the magnitude of the heat wave” in March.

• More: U.S. sees record for warmest March, and first quarter
• NOAA - state of the climate: Over 15,000 temp records broken in March

At least a dozen tornadoes struck Texas on Tuesday, and Tornado season is just getting started.

Tuesday’s twisters ranged from EF2 to EF3 - only two ratings from the strongest.

EF3 tornadoes in Texas are rare; in total, there were none recorded in 2011, 3 in 2010, 1 in 2009 and none again in 2008.

This year’s tornado season promises to be a tough one across the United States.

In March, 223 tornadoes were recorded, significantly higher than the average of 80. February recorded 63 twisters versus the normal average of 29. January kicked off the year with 97, far higher than the average of 35.

The normal peak season for U.S. tornadoes runs from April through June.

• More: Very unusual start to tornado season
• Residents assess damage from North Texas tornado outbreak
• New records - March 2012 tornado outbreak
  

Over 1,500 record-breaking temperatures were recorded in the U.S. last week.

Average temps have been 20 degrees or more higher than is normal for March across most of the country.

Here’s the number of temperature records by day, through Thursday:

• Friday Mar. 9 - 101
• Saturday Mar. 10 - 105
• Sunday Mar. 11 - 189
• Monday Mar. 12 - 138
• Tuesday Mar. 13 - 218
• Wednesday Mar. 14 - 457
• Thursday Mar. 15 - 593

Additional records were broken over the weekend.

International Falls, Minnesota, which promotes itself as the “Icebox of the Nation” hit the highest temp ever recorded there in March, 77 degrees.

Chicago has hit the 80 degree mark for 5 consecutive days - smashing a record set in 1872 of two consecutive 80 degree days.

More of the same is predicted for the central and eastern U.S. today.

Is this what they mean by rapid global warming?

• More: March warmth rewrites record books
• Over 1,500 record highs this week!
• March record breakers