First Six Months of Year Warmest on Record
July 11, 2012
The average temperature across the continental United States for the first six months of 2012 was the warmest on record, announced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on July 9. The 12-month period ending on June 30 was also the warmest on record in the 48 contiguous states. Record keeping was begun by the National Weather Service in 1895. The average temperature through June–57.4 °F (14.1 °C)–is 4.5 degrees higher than the long-term average for the same period. In Colorado, the average temperature in June was 6.4 degrees higher than the historical average.
High temperatures in the second half of June broke or tied records in 173 locations across the nation. The temperature hit 115 °F (46.1 °C) on June 26 in Red Willow, Nebraska, breaking the 114 °F (45.5 °C) record set in 1932. The temperature reached an all-time high of 118 °F (47.7 °C) on June 28 in Norton, Kansas.
High temperatures in June contributed to a record-warm first half of the year and the warmest 12-month period the United States has experienced since record keeping began in 1895. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The first six months of the year were also drier than usual, with total precipitation 1.62 inches (4.11 centimeters) below average. According to the Weather Service’s weekly Drought Monitor, 56 percent of the nation experienced drought conditions in June.
The unusually high temperatures and drought conditions created ideal conditions for wildfires. Wildfires burned across 1.3 million acres (526,000 hectares) in the western United States in June alone.
Additional World Book article:
- Weather
- The Forecast: Better Weather Prediction Ahead (a special report)
- When the Rain Stops (a special report)
- Weather 1932 (a Back in Time article)
