Copernicus says the world warmed to yet another monthly heat record in January, despite an abnormally chilly U.S. and predictions of a slightly less hot year.

Last month was the hottest January in global recorded history despite the impact of an ocean cooling La Niña event. The findings have been reported by Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union's Space Program.

Last month was the hottest January on record, blitzing the previous high and stunning climate scientists who expected cooler La Nina conditions to finally start quelling a long-running heat streak.