The redder the shading, the further above average were the temperatures in September.

The agency has been keeping such records since 1880. According to its measurements, the "average global temperature across land and ocean surfaces" was 1.21 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th Century average for September.

This chart offers another perspective on just how warm it was around the world last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.

The agency has been keeping records since 1880 and the "average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for September 2012 tied with 2005 as the warmest September on record."

According to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, "the average global temperature across land and ocean surfaces during September was 0.67°C (1.21°F) above the long-term 20^th century average."

Also: "The average global land surface temperature was the third highest for September on record, behind 2009 (highest) and 2005 (second highest), with widespread warmth around the globe."

Some of our previous posts about NOAA's reports:

-- NOAA: This Summer Was Third Hottest On Record.

-- How Hot Was It? July Was Warmest Month On Record For U.S.

-- NOAA: This Past May Was Second Warmest On Record.

Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press reports today that:

"The percentage of Americans saying there is solid evidence of global warming has steadily increased over the past few years. Currently, 67% say there is solid evidence that the earth's average temperature has been getting warmer over the past few decades, up four points since last year and 10 points since 2009."

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