Warm U.S. Year Rolls Through 37th Consecutive Week

The record warm year of 2012 continued through the 37th consecutive week of above-average temperatures in the U.S., according to preliminary analysis from the National Climatic Data Center for August 19-25. The national average of 0.8° above normal was down slightly from 1.2° the previous week. The month-to-date average was 1.3° warmer than normal with one week left in August. Once again, only 3 of the 9 regions were cooler than average (East North-Central, Central, and Southeast).

Given the remarkable week-to-week consistency of the warm temperatures, it's not surprising that nearly the entire country is averaging above normal for the year to date. Only the Pacific Northwest and parts of northern California have been cooler than average in the interval from January 1 through today.

Images (click to enlarge):
- Weekly average U.S. temperature departures from normal, weeks ending June 4, 2011 (20110604) through August 25, 2012 (20120825); CapitalClimate chart from NOAA/NCDC data
- Average U.S. temperature departure from normal for August 1-28, 2012 from High Plains Regional Climate Center
- Average U.S. temperature departure from normal for January 1-August 28, 2012 from High Plains Regional Climate Center