Weather officials in Japan say the country's average temperature this autumn was the highest since record-keeping began 125 years ago.

Meteorological Agency officials announced on Friday that the country's average temperature from September to November was 1.39 degrees Celsius higher than average. The previous record was set last year.

The average temperatures in spring and summer this year were also the highest ever.

This year, temperatures remained high even after September started. In central Tokyo, the mercury hit 27.5 degrees on November 7, renewing the record high for the month for the first time in 100 years.

Weather officials attributed the unusually high temperatures to global warming and the effects of westerlies.

The officials said westerlies that frequently flowed on the northern side of Japan prevented a cold air mass from moving south, often keeping the Japanese archipelago covered by a warm atmosphere.

They also said the country is likely to continue experiencing unusually high temperatures.