It also marked the 344th consecutive month (more than 28 years) that the Earth had an above-average global temperature.

Most areas of the world’s land surface experienced warmer-than-average monthly temperatures, with the most notable warmth across Alaska, northwestern Canada, northwestern Africa, and parts of north central and southern Asia, the climate center reported.

For the year-to-date, the global temperature was the seventh-warmest such period on record. All the warmest years on record have occurred since 1998.

Other highlights in October:

Alaska had its warmest October since records began in 1918.

Spain had its sixth-warmest October on record.

Cyclone Phailin hit India on Oct. 12, and was the second-most intense cyclone to cross India since records began.

Precipitation across Japan was above average, with some locations receiving nearly twice the average amount.

© 2013 USA TODAY. All rights reserved.