We're off and running at a record pace for another warmest year on record. First, January was the warmest month ever, globally, compared to the 20th century average. Now new satellite data shows February was the warmest month ever recorded globally — compared to average.

This particular data set, from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, is widely used by climate change skeptics to try and discredit the more robust and highly accurate surface temperature records.

It's an eye-opening development for climate scientists. But is the background Muzak of climate change, plus the still relevant, but fading, "Super El Nino" enough to equal yet another global temperature record this year?

MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner talks to St. Thomas professor John Abraham.