NOAA: 2008 Temperature for U.S. Near Average, was Coldest Since 1997; Below Average for December

January 8, 2009

The 2008 annual temperature for the contiguous United States was near average, while the temperature for December was below the long-term average, based on records dating back to 1895, according to a preliminary analysis by scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

U.S. Temperature Highlights – 2008

National temperatures.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

U.S. Temperature Highlights – December 2008

December statewide temperature ranks.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

U.S. Precipitation Highlights

December statewide precipitation ranks.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

Other Highlights

NCDC’s preliminary reports, which assess the current state of the climate, are released soon after the end of each month. These analyses are based on preliminary data, which are subject to revision. Additional quality control is applied to the data when late reports are received several weeks after the end of the month and as increased scientific methods improve NCDC’s processing algorithms.

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