[Always Right]

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record.

Actually the surface temperature has been declining, so it is not that puzzling at all.

[MNJohnnie]

It April 26th 2008. It is snowing right now here in Minneapolis MN.

[Straight Vermonter]

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record.

NOAA has essentially admitted they have no idea what the temperature changes have been. They are implementing a new high tech temperature measuring network (PDF) to replace the old one. The old network is terribly flawed with equipment placed near or even directly over air conditioning units, blacktop, and bodies of water. All of these contribute to temperature bias to the point where it is really impossible to say with any accuracy what the temperature is.