Continental US Experienced Warmest 12 Months in 117 Years

Contiguous U.S. 2 degrees warmer in June than 20^th century average

Continental U.S. experienced record-warm first half of the year and the warmest 12-month period since recordkeeping began in 1895.

Temperature Chart for Contiguous U.S. (January-June 1895-2012; 6-month average). Source: NOAA/NCDC

Scorching temperatures during the second half of June led to more than 170 all-time high temperature records broken or tied, NOAA reported.

Contiguous U.S. Temperature, July-June 1896-2012; 12-month average (year, temperature) – Source: NOAA/NCDC

• The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 71.2°F last month, which is 2.0°F above the 20^th century June average.
• The July 2011-June 2012 period was the warmest of any 12-months on record for the contiguous U.S.
• The average temperature for the U.S. was 56.0°F, or 3.2°F above the long term average for the 12-month period, with every state across the contiguous U.S. experiencing warmer than average temperatures, except Washington, which was near normal.
• Precipitation total of 2.27 inches (national average), were 0.62 inch below long-term average.
• “Temperatures in South Carolina (113°F) and Georgia (112°F) are currently under review by the U.S. State Climate Extremes Committee as possible all-time statewide temperature records,” NOAA reported.
• Colorado experienced its warmest June on record, with a statewide temperature of 6.4°F above average.
• As of July 3, 76.33 percent of the contiguous U.S. was Abnormally Dry or in Drought, with about 56.0 percent of the contiguous U.S. experiencing D1 – D4 drought conditions, marking the largest percentage of the country experiencing drought conditions since the U.S. Drought Monitor began over 12 years ago.
• “Drought conditions worsened across much of the West, Central Plains, and the Ohio Valley, causing significant impacts on agriculture in those regions.” (see previous posts for details).
• A list of select June temperature and precipitation records is posted  here.

U.S. Drought Map. Released July 5, 2012

Links to Recent Related Entries

• Drought: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Posted on July 10, 2012
• U.S. Corn Belt Hit by Drought, Heat Wave Posted on July 9, 2012
• Record Heatwave Kills Dozens in U.S. Posted on July 8, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in Montana Posted on July 5, 2012
• Colorado Declared Agri Disaster Area Posted on July 4, 2012

• Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States Posted on July 3, 2012
• Deadly Heat Blankets Eastern U.S. Posted on July 2, 2012
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States and DC as Storm Death Toll Rises Posted  on July 1, 2012
• Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population Posted on June 30, 2012
• The record-setting heat wave continues to expand Posted on June 30, 2012
• Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S. Posted on June 29, 2012
• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado Posted on June 28, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012