NCDC / Climate Monitoring / May / U.S. Climate / Search / Help
|
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Climate Monitoring National Overview
May 2004
National Climatic Data Center Asheville, North Carolina 15 June 2004
|
|
Global Analysis / Global Hazards /
United States / U.S. Drought /
Extremes
Use these links to access detailed analyses of Global and U.S. data, available on June 15th
Maps and Graphics:
It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and precipitation ranks and values are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages. Graphics based on final data are available on this page: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2003/CMB_prod_us_2003.html
For graphics covering periods other than those mentioned above or for tables of national, regional, and statewide data from 1895-present, for May, last 3 months or other periods, please go to the Climate At A Glance page
National Overview:
May:
- May temperatures were above average for the nation as a whole. The mid-Atlantic region had record or near record statewide temperatures, while the northern Plains remained cooler than average. For information on temperature records during the month, please go to NCDC's Extremes page.
- The precipitation signal was mixed with wetter than average conditions in the Northwest and from Louisiana to the Great Lakes, while dry conditions prevailed in the Southeast and West. Severe storm outbreaks at both the beginning and end of the month led to a preliminary assessment of as many as 500 tornadoes occurring during May 2004. For more information on severe weather and hazards during May, please visit the Hazards page.
Spring:
- Temperatures were above average nationally, during March-May, with Florida standing out as the only contiguous state that did not have significantly above average temperatures statewide. Two states (Oklahoma and Kansas) had their record warmest spring.
- The precipitation signal for spring shows dryness extending across the West and Southeast, while the Great Lakes and parts of the southern Plains and Northeast had above average precipitation.
- Details of the 2003/2004 snow season can be found on NCDC's monthly snow summary page.
- Indices used to determine the state of ENSO suggest that the Equatorial Pacific was in a neutral ENSO phase and Sea Surface Temperatures were near normal across the equatorial Pacific during May. To see the latest NOAA advisory and typical impacts of a La Nina or El Nino episode for the U.S., go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
For additional details, see the Monthly Highlights section.
For details and graphics on weather events across the U.S. and the globe go to NCDC's Global Hazards page.
|
Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and precipitation ranks and values are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages. Graphics based on final data are available on this page: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2003/CMB_prod_us_2003.html
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services Division NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4876 phone: 828-271-4800 email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
Jay Lawrimore NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
top of the page
|
NCDC / Climate Monitoring / May / U.S. Climate / Search / Help
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2004/may/national.html
Downloaded Thursday, 25-Sep-2008 10:02:53 EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, 29-Nov-2005 14:05:03 EST by Anne.Waple@noaa.gov
Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments.
|