Last month was the hottest October on record across the world, US meteorologists say.

They say despite a bitter US cold snap, the globe is heading for its warmest year ever.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the average temperature of 14.74 C surpassed October 2003.

Five of the last six months have set monthly global heat records. July is the only exception. Nasa and Japan's weather agency also called it the hottest October on record.

NOAA says with only two months left in the year, 2014 has now surged ahead as the warmest year so far, beating 2010 and 1998. The world is averaging 14.78 C in 2014.

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