For instance, a roof was blown off a store in Cape May, New Jersey, and a cow barn was tossed into a power pole in Rockland, Massachusetts. In addition, Burlington, Vermont, tied its greatest number of June days with a high of at least 90 degrees F (32 degrees C). Washington, D.C. (18842020), Blacksburg, VA (18932020), and Mt. While February, March, and the spring season were record-setting for their lack of snow, May featured record-setting snowfall in a few locations. Several major storms affected the Northeast during 2020. For instance, in late September, topsoil and subsoil were very dry for 80 to 100 percent of Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The total area experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions grew from roughly one-third of the region to two-thirds of the region by the end of the year while the total area experiencing exceptional drought conditions increased. For instance, severe drought eased everywhere except southeastern New Hampshire and coastal Maine and moderate drought eased in a large portion of New England. Portions of the lower Mississippi Valley had daytime temperatures that were below average during 2020. Portland, Maine, recorded its hottest minimum temperature for any month since 1940 with a low of 78 degrees F (26 degrees C) on July 27. Mississippi had the most tornado reports (127) while Texas had the most hail (601) and wind (817) reports. Globally, 2020 was the hottest year on record, effectively tying 2016, the previous record. In November, every state experienced warmer than normal conditions, with Texas experiencing its fourth-warmest November on record, Oklahoma experiencing its eighth-warmest November on record, and the region as a whole experiencing its ninth-warmest November on record. Later in the season, a lack of snow cover across the Plains and low snowpack in the central Rockies also impacted skiing and snowmobiling activities. Sunrise & Sunset with Twilight and Daylight Saving Time in 2021 in Denver. The extreme departures in annual mean temperatures across the region were driven primarily by exceptionally warm daily minimum temperatures, as a persistent influx of tropical moisture and cloud cover suppressed nighttime cooling during the year. The three largest wildfires in Colorado history occurred during 2020: The Cameron Peak Fire, the East Troublesome Fire and the Pine Gulch Fire each exceeded the acreage burned by the previous record, the 2002 Hayman Fire. Like most years, 2020 temperatures were quite variable throughout the year. For a small area of northwest Oregon, western Washington, and northern Idaho, drought conditions improved with removal of drought for these locations. Most of the contiguous U.S. experienced above-average temperatures during 2020. Eight of the Northeast states were drier than normal while four were wetter than normal. The center of low pressure for this storm is the lowest known pressure in or around Alaskan waters. With 1.1 inches (28 mm) of snow on the 25th, Asheville, NC (18692020) observed its fifth highest snowfall on Christmas Day since records began 151 years ago. The most up-to-date temperature and precipitation data is available through Climate at a Glance. Influenced by warm ocean temperatures, Kahului and Hilo experienced a record-warm year in 2020. Oakland, California also logged its warmest year on record dating back to 1948 at 61.3 F (16.3 C), 3.8 F (2.1 C) above normal. As the derecho headed east the winds eased slightly but continued to do significant damage in the other states affected. However, after the month of February, temperatures were at 0.80C (1.44F) or higher for the remaining months of 2021. In May, cooler than normal conditions prevailed across every state except Texas, while precipitation was higher than normal for every state except for Mississippi. In addition, for the first time on record, Newark did not reach 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) during the month of April. U.S. monthly average temperature 2023 | Statista There were at least five storm-related deaths. Abnormal dryness appeared briefly in an area from central New Jersey to southeastern Massachusetts in mid-March but eased by months end. Only January-May of 2010 and 2016 were warmer. A stream gauge near Colesville, Maryland, rose eight feet (2.4 m) in around an hour. Numerous roads in the urbanized corridor of southeastern Florida became impassable due to flooding, with many reports of stalled or submerged vehicles. In Alaska, annual temperatures were above normal along the North Slope, in western coastal Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands. The statewide temperature rankings for 2020 were as follows: Arkansas (thirty-eighth warmest), Louisiana (ninth warmest), Mississippi (tenth warmest), Oklahoma (twenty-eighth warmest), Tennessee (thirteenth warmest), and Texas (seventh warmest). Climate change and the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals In addition, Highlands was only 3.44 inches (87 mm) short of exceeding the highest annual precipitation total ever recorded in North Carolina, which occurred just two years ago on Mt. Earth's global average surface temperature in 2020 statistically tied with 2016 as the hottest year on record, continuing a long-term warming trend due to human activities. For the year, warm daily records outpaced cold records by a margin of approximately two to one. Ultimately, the year ended with 82 percent of the region in drought, which was up 70 percent from the beginning of the year. During the summer, drought conditions expanded to include over 70 percent of Wyoming and nearly all of Colorado. Autumn was wetter and warmer than normal for most of the Southern Region. Rhode Island officials noted that fires were climbing trees and were concerned that items like lawn mowers and chains could spark fires, which is a behavior more typical of western U.S. wildfires and unusual in the Northeast. Numerous trees and branches were felled due to a combination of strong winds, drought stress, and being fully leafed. On the Big Island, Hilo recorded an annual average temperature of 76.8 F (24.9 C), 2.9 F (1.7 C) above normal and the warmest on record dating back to 1950. The UK mean temperature for 2021 was 9.28C. These economic ramifications occur for several reasons, which include higher. Several notable widespread wind events occurred in the Northeast this year. For further details on the weather and climate events in the Midwest, see the weekly and monthly summaries in the. Baker City, in northeast Oregon, saw its warmest year on record going back to 1944 with an annual average temperature 48.3 F (9.1 C), 3.9 F (2.2 C) above normal. Strawberry growers in Florida reported higher-than-normal fungal disease pressure and pest pressure due to unusual warmth in January and February. Yield losses in Iowa were due to a combination of drought and damages from the derecho. In addition, almost 400,000 customers lost power. Precipitation received across Alaska during 2020 varied by region with the eastern interior regions, portions of the Panhandle and Bristol Bay receiving above-average precipitation. January 2021 marked the first time since October 2019 (0.37%) where a record cold temperature occurred. Some reservoirs also experienced below-normal water levels. Nearly half (138 of 299) of the tornadoes occurred during April, which had the third highest monthly count of tornadoes across the region behind April 2011 (226) and September 2004 (247). Range and pastureland conditions were severely impacted this year, particularly in parts of Colorado and Wyoming, where livestock producers were forced to haul water or provide supplemental feed. A man in Bradenton Beach, FL was electrocuted when he touched an appliance while standing in floodwater. Iowa had its 3rd driest August in history. The Roanoke River crested almost 6 feet (1.8 meters) above flood stage on May 21st, sending water rushing onto some roadways and making them impassable. November 2020 Temperature Precipitation : December 2020 Temperature Precipitation January 2019 Temperature Precipitation : February 2019 Temperature Precipitation : Burn bans were enacted in several locations. This value will be evaluated by the State Climate Extremes Committee later in 2021 to determine if a state record for lowest mean sea level pressure will be established. In addition, it was the first time on record with no measurable snow in both February and March for Bridgeport, Connecticut; Islip and Kennedy Airport, New York; and Allentown and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Every state experienced a warmer than normal winter, with every state experiencing a top-20 warmest winter on record while Tennessee experienced its sixth-warmest winter on record. Annual Temperature Anomaly. The timing was particularly bad for farmers that were in the midst of harvesting a variety of vegetable crops bound for holiday tables, including sweet corn, green beans, lettuce, cabbage, and radishes. Damage was spread across Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Maine had its worst year for fires in 20 years with 1,000 wildfires as of September 24. In addition, snow fell across portions of West Virginia, western Maryland, western Pennsylvania, and western New York. The Central states also experienced a historic severe weather event the. All six states experienced warmer than normal temperatures, with Louisiana experiencing its sixth-warmest spring on record. The area of drought in southwestern Florida persisted until early June, while the area of drought in coastal Alabama lasted until late June. As the storm rapidly strengthened, it set the record for the lowest February air pressure in Hartford (based on preliminary data) and produced damaging wind gusts of up to 80 mph (36 m/s), particularly in coastal areas. On the 11th, Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (19112020) observed its wettest November day on record, with 6.41 inches (163 mm) of rainfall. June, July, and December also ranked among the warmest 20 percent (top 25) of history for the region. Kahului, Maui also saw its warmest year on record since 1955 at 78.6 F (25.9 C), 2.7 F (1.5 C) above normal beating out the 2019 record of 78.4 F (25.8 C). Near record warmth was found throughout Arizona with both Phoenix (77.2 F [25.1 C], 2.1 F [1.2 C] above normal) and Tucson (72.6 F [22.6 C], 3.2 F [1.8 C] above normal) reporting the second warmest years on record. The coldest temperature observed during winter 2019-20 in Washington, D.C., was 22 degrees F (-6 degrees C) and at Dulles Airport was 15 degrees F (-9 degrees C), which were the warmest minimum temperatures for winter on record. On November 11th and 12th, the interaction of moisture surging northward from Tropical Storm Eta and an approaching cold front produced 3 to more than 8 inches (76 to more than 203 mm) of rainfall across much of the Carolinas and Virginia. The region experienced temperatures 2 to 4 degrees warmer than normal in December and January. This dryness eased by mid-February, with the Northeast becoming free of abnormal dryness for the first time since July 2019. Early on December 25th, snow flurries were reported as far south as Charleston International Airport, SC, which is only its second trace of snowfall on Christmas Day since 1938. In August, every state except for Arkansas and Oklahoma experienced warmer than normal temperatures, while every state except for Oklahoma and Texas experienced wetter than normal conditions. The nationally averaged maximum temperature (daytime highs) was above average for 2020 at 66.3F, 2.3F above average, ranking as sixth warmest in the 126-year record. The 2020 fire season was very active and ramped up in mid-summer and extended well into autumn. This was the states largest winter tornado outbreak. Meanwhile, autumn was characterized by extreme temperature swings, with October ranking in the top 10 coldest and November ranking in the top 10 warmest for some states in the region. Dam releases were performed in the Lamprey River watershed in New Hampshire, while a section of the Salmon River in New York was closed to fishing and Connecticut officials delayed restocking trout and salmon in the Farmington River. From April 19th through the 20th, a line of thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall across central portions of Alabama and Georgia, with 24-hour precipitation totals exceeding 5 inches and numerous reports of localized flooding. The strong winds downed trees and wires, knocked out power to more than 86,000 customers in Massachusetts, and caused whiteout conditions in northern Maine. In 2021, extreme temperatures in the United States caused over 713 million U.S. dollars in economic damage. Ten states across the Southwest, Southeast and East Coast had their second-warmest year on record. Add to Cart . In many fields in southern Alabama, Hurricane Sally blew down the cotton crop when bolls had yet to open. Preliminary reports indicate Hurricane Laura generated a storm surge over 17 feet (5.18 meters) above ground level, which would be the largest surge on record for Louisiana. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, it was the latest occurrence of snow on record for the New York City area climate sites, which saw a trace. Providence, Rhode Island, picked up 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) of snow on October 30, tying as the sites snowiest October day on record. Despite the snowfall, the fall season was dry, overall, and the majority of the region went into winter with dry soils. The heavy, wet snow and strong winds downed trees and caused more than 266,000 customers in Maine, around a third of the state, to lose power. During July, the general trend across the region was worsening conditions. Portions of West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic also saw freezing rain, with ice accumulations of up to 0.41 inches (10.41 mm), and sleet. The coldest temperature observed during the year was -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C), which was recorded on Mt. Two-day snowfall totals ranked as the largest on record for any month at Binghamton, New York, which saw 40.0 inches (101.6 cm) of snow, and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which picked up 24.7 inches (62.7 cm). Mount Washington, New Hampshire, had its highest August wind gust of 147 mph (66 m/s). Earth's temperature has risen by an average of 0.14 Fahrenheit (0.08 Celsius) per decade since 1880, or about 2 F in total. The global ocean-only temperature departure of 0.58C (1.04F) was the smallest for January since 2014; however, this was also the eighth . This is ~0.15 C (~0.28 F) cooler than in 2020. After two consecutively wet years, 2020 was an extremely dry year for the majority of the High Plains region. This was the eighth straight year above the 1981-2010 normal for the region. For instance, in February 2023, the average temperature across the North American. Global monthly temperature anomalies, with ENSO status All state rankings are based on the period spanning 1895-2020. Strengthening to a hurricane, Isaias made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, NC on August 3rd, with peak sustained winds of 85 mph (38 m/s) and a maximum wind gust of 99 mph (44 m/s) in Federal Point, NC. In late May, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Vermont, set/tied their hottest May day on record. Annual precipitation totals ranged from 12 to more than 20 inches (305 to more than 508 mm) above average in these areas. There were three months (January, February, and September) where every state was wetter than normal and one month (November) where every state was drier than normal. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph (22 m/s) were recorded in several coastal locations of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, where some coastal flooding occurred. In addition, several stations observed their highest or second highest annual count of days with a minimum temperature at or above 75 degrees F (23.9 degrees C), including Fort Lauderdale, FL (19122020; 186 days, 51 percent of the year), Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (19112020; 132 days, 36 percent of the year), Vero Beach, FL (19422020; 98 days, 27 percent of the year), and Albany, GA (18922020; 44 days, 12 percent of the year). In addition, Augusta, GA (18712020) observed only its second trace of snowfall on Christmas Day since records began 149 years ago. Tropical Storm Fay formed on July 9, becoming the earliest F named storm. The warmest temperature observed during the year was 102 degrees F (38.9 degrees C), which was recorded at several locations across the region, including Macon, GA (July 20th), Athens, GA (July 20th), and Norfolk, VA (July 19th, 21st, and 28th). Plains snowpack was variable throughout the season. Spring freeze damage was reported in a mid-April freeze despite not being particularly late in the season. The average temperature in the contiguous United States reached 53.37 degrees Fahrenheit (11.87 degrees Celsius) in 2022. All state rankings are based on the period spanning 1895-2020. On February 6th, a slow-moving low pressure system produced over 5 inches (127 mm) of rainfall across portions of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. During October, beneficial rainfall improved drought conditions in portions of New England; however, drought and abnormal dryness expanded or intensified in parts of New York and Pennsylvania. The statewide precipitation rankings for the year are as follows: Arkansas (eleventh wettest), Louisiana (ninteenth wettest), Mississippi (eleventh wettest), Oklahoma (twenty-seventh wettest), Tennessee (sixth wettest), and Texas (fifty-fourth driest). The global-mean temperature for March 2021 was higher than the average for 1991-2020, but less extreme than for most months in the last six years. 2020 Tied for Warmest Year on Record, NASA Analysis Shows In February, five of six states experienced warmer than normal conditions (Texas was slightly cooler than normal) while all six states were wetter than normal, with Mississippi experiencing its fifth-wettest February on record while Tennessee experienced its eighth-wettest February on record. Flash flooding was reported from Delaware to New York, resulting in road closures and water rescues. June was cooler than normal for every state except Oklahoma and Texas, while precipitation was mixed, as three states (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) experienced wetter than normal conditions while three states (Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas) experienced drier than normal conditions. Hurricanes Hanna and Delta were primarily rain events, with reports of 15 inches (381 mm) in southern Texas from Hanna and 17 inches (431.80 mm) in southwestern Louisiana from Delta. Burlington and Caribou, Maine, also had their warmest minimum temperature for May. This topped the 12-week stretch in early 2019 with no abnormally dry conditions. Flooding in southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and portions of New Jersey and Maryland led to road closures, stranded vehicles, and water rescues. January-May 2021 Blended Land and Sea Surface Temperature Percentiles Regionally, Africa's year-to-date temperature was 1.28C (2.30F) above average and the third highest for the January-May period on record. Several notable maximum and minimum temperature records occurred across the region during the year. There were at least four ground fires in Vermont this year, which is atypical. Even in these areas, the wetness became a memory as drought developed and expanded in the late summer, fall, and early winter. For additional details regarding these highlights, please see the following pages: *Temperature and precipitation values and ranks are based on preliminary data. Further south, Stockton, California reported its warmest year on record (in the past 72 years) at 64.8 F (18.2 C), 3.5F (1.9 C) above normal. Hints of this transition began in the fall of 2019, when drought conditions developed across southern Kansas and western and southern Colorado. Unfortunately, in early June the total area experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions began to increase. Texas experienced its third-warmest March on record, Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their fourth-warmest March on record, Oklahoma experienced its tenth-warmest March on record, and the region as a whole experienced its sixth-warmest March on record. Through the end of summer, most of the Southeast region remained drought-free, except for a few short-lived pockets of moderate drought in portions of northern and coastal Virginia, Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and west-central Florida. An early season freeze event occurred in the Upper Midwest on September 8th-11th. Every state except for Oklahoma experienced warmer than normal temperatures while every state except for Texas experienced wetter than normal conditions. Tropical Storm Zeta and another storm system trekked through the Mid-Atlantic, bringing rain, snow, and gusty winds to the region from October 29 to 30. The largest hailstones observed during the year were teacup-sized (i.e., 3-inch or 76-mm diameter), which were reported in Vernon, AL on March 29th, Darlington County, SC on May 5th, and Lake Mary, FL on May 21st. The statewide average annual precipitation totals are as follows: Arkansas received 63.43 inches (1611.12 mm), Louisiana received 66.40 inches (1686.56 mm), Mississippi received 68.22 inches (1732.78 mm), Oklahoma received 39.10 inches (993.14 mm), Tennessee received 65.40 inches (1661.16 mm), and Texas received 26.04 inches (661.42 mm). This record at Baker City is on the extreme end of the distribution and more than two inches less than the previous record of 5.63 in (143 mm) set in 2002. Indiana was barely below normal (-0.04 inches or -1 mm), while Minnesota (-3.75 inches or -95 mm) and Iowa (-5.84 inches or -148 mm) were well below normal. Between 1961 and 1990, temperatures in England averaged nine degrees Celsius, and in the period of 2012 to 2021, average temperatures in the country had increased to 10.2. Red indicates places that were warmer than average, and blue indicates places that were colder than average. Damage in the form of snapped and uprooted trees occurred to the west of the school, along with the more significant roof uplift and partial outer wall collapse of the schools gymnasium. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Chester Creek rose to its fourth highest water level on record, exceeding its previous fourth highest level set days earlier. Precipitation was drier than normal across all six states. Hawaii, for the second year in a row, saw above normal temperatures that were in some cases record-breaking. In September, every state except for Louisiana and Mississippi experienced cooler than normal temperatures, while every state experienced wetter than normal conditions. The Midwest was completely free of drought from January through May of 2020. From May 8 to 11, the polar jet stream plunged south and Arctic air spilled into the Northeast, with many areas seeing snow. Twelve of the 35 major climate sites had their least snowy February on record. Overview and Graphics Winter 2020-2021 Climate Summary: Temperatures averaged near to slightly below normal for the season. On January 31st, Charlotte, NC continued its record of reporting at least a trace of snow in every winter season since 1878. Temperatures are increasing due to human activities, specifically emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane. The maximum wind speed was estimated at 85 mph, and three injuries were associated with the microburst. On January 11th, a thunderstorm wind gust of 75 mph (34 m/s) in Greene County, AL blew a very large tree down onto the water main in Forkland, and many thousands of gallons of water spilled out of the water tower. More than 4.3 million acres were consumed across California during 2020. Ultimately, the year ended with over 80 percent of the region in drought (D1-D4), and these conditions caused a number of impacts over the course of the year. Upper Missouri Basin snowpack peaked in mid-April at just above normal above Fort Peck Reservoir and between Fort Peck and Garrison Reservoirs, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These conditions both improved and deteriorated through winter and into spring, with the total area experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions decreasing but the total area experiencing extreme drought conditions increasing, with a small area of exceptional drought conditions developing. Summer was warmer and wetter than normal for most of the Southern Region. The rapid drop in temperatures, from warm conditions just prior to the freeze, exacerbated the situation. During a four-day period (August 16-19) 8,532 lightning strikes were detected in central and northern California that ignited 362 new fires, including the August Complex which burned 1,032,649 acres. These regional summaries were provided by the six Regional Climate Centers and reflect conditions in their respective regions. The lack of a need for supplemental drying was a benefit for farmers. Roanoke also observed its longest streak of 3 consecutive days with at least 2 inches (51 mm) of precipitation. Overall, Earth's average temperature has risen more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1880s. Nearly 40 percent of the cotton crop in Alabama contained seed coat fragments, which is a sprouting or deterioration of the seed that occurs under extended wet conditions, reducing the quality of the cotton fiber. The global mean temperature in 2021 is estimated to have been 1.21 C (2.17 F) above the average temperature from 1850-1900, a period often used as a pre-industrial baseline for global temperature targets. Every state reported wetter than normal conditions. This could be concerning as spring planting gets underway. Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, had their least snowy seasons (October through May) on record. A streak of 14 straight weeks, from mid-January to mid-April, set a new record with no abnormally dry area in the region. Precipitation was primarily wetter than normal (Texas was slightly drier than normal), with Mississippi and Tennessee experiencing their sixth-wettest and eighth-wettest winters on record, respectively. Concord, New Hampshire, saw 24.2 inches (61.5 cm) on December 17, making it the sites all-time snowiest day on record and qualifying as the largest December snowstorm. All nine Midwest states were above their 1981-2010 normal by 0.9 to 1.8 degrees F (0.5 to 1.0 C). In some Maine locations, a fungal disease turned stressed grass black and dry conditions caused a fungus that kills the pupa of the browntail moth caterpillar to grow too late this year, allowing the caterpillar, which defoliates trees and causes health issues, to spread farther into central Maine. Alaska experienced its coldest first two months of the year in 2020 and coldest winter (December 2019 - February 2020) since 1999. Abnormal dryness was next introduced during the second half of May, this time in parts of New York and northern New England. Temperatures across the Lower 48 in December 2020 (left), January 2021 (right), and February 2021, compared to the 1981-2010 average. Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (18842020) and Hickory, NC (19492020) observed their wettest February day on record, with 5.36 and 5.31 inches (136 and 135 mm) of precipitation, respectively. About 30 percent (1,154 of 3,843) of these reports were observed during April.