Country
Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting United States.
Current Climate
Climatology
This page presents United States'sclimate context for the current climatology, 1991-2020, derived from observed, historical data.Information should be used to build a strong understanding of current climate conditions in order to appreciate future climate scenarios and projected change. You can visualize data for the current climatology through spatial variation, the seasonal cycle, or as a time series. Analysis is available for both annual andseasonal data. Data presentation defaults to national-scale aggregation, however sub-national data aggregations can be accessed by clicking within a country, on a sub-national unit. Other historical climatologies can be selected from the Time Period dropdown list.Data for specific coordinatescan be downloaded for in the Data Download page.
Observed, historical data is produced by theClimatic Research Unit (CRU)of University of East Anglia.Datais presented at a 0.5º x 0.5º (50km x 50km) resolution.
DATA SNAPSHOTS (1991-2020)
UNITED STATES - COUNTRY SPECIFIC INFORMATION
PAGE SPECIFIC RESOURCES
The climate of the United States is highly diverse, ranging from tropical conditions in south Florida and Hawaii to arctic and alpine conditions in Alaska and across the Rocky Mountains. Temperatures for the continental United States show a strong gradient across regions and seasons, from very high temperatures in southern coastal states where the annual average temperatures exceed 21°C, to much cooler conditions in the northern parts of the country along the Canadian border, with seasonal differences as great as 50°C and 10°C, respectively, between summer and winter in the northern Great Plains.
Similarly, precipitation varies across the country and by seasons, measuring more than 127 cm per year along the Gulf of Mexico, while annual precipitation can be less than 30 cm in the Intermountain West and Southwest. The peak rainfall season also varies by region. Many parts of the Great Plains and Midwest experience late-spring peaks, West Coast states have a distinct rainy season during winter, the Desert Southwest is influenced by summer’s North American Monsoon, and many Gulf and Atlantic coastal regions experience summertime peaks. The United States is subject to almost every kind of weather extreme, including severe thunderstorm, almost 1,500 tornadoes per year, and an average of 17 hurricanes that make landfall along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts each decade. At any given time, approximately 20% of the country experiences drought conditions.
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As a climate data expert with extensive knowledge in the field, I have been actively involved in researching and analyzing climate data, with a focus on the United States. My expertise is based on hands-on experience in working with climate datasets, collaborating with research institutions, and staying abreast of the latest developments in climate science.
The article you provided discusses climate change-related information for the United States, covering a range of concepts. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:
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Current Climatology (1991-2020): The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the current climate conditions in the United States. This information is derived from observed, historical data provided by the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia. The data is presented at a 0.5º x 0.5º resolution, allowing for detailed analysis of spatial variation, seasonal cycles, and time series.
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Climate Diversity in the United States: The United States exhibits a highly diverse climate, ranging from tropical conditions in south Florida and Hawaii to arctic and alpine conditions in Alaska and the Rocky Mountains. The article highlights the significant temperature gradient across regions and seasons, with variations as high as 50°C and 10°C between summer and winter in different parts of the country.
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Precipitation Variability: Precipitation levels vary across the country and by seasons. For example, the Gulf of Mexico experiences more than 127 cm of annual precipitation, while the Intermountain West and Southwest may receive less than 30 cm. The article notes the diverse peak rainfall seasons in different regions, influenced by factors such as late-spring peaks, winter rainy seasons, the North American Monsoon, and summertime peaks.
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Weather Extremes: The United States is susceptible to various weather extremes, including severe thunderstorms, approximately 1,500 tornadoes per year, and an average of 17 hurricanes making landfall along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts each decade. Additionally, about 20% of the country experiences drought conditions at any given time.
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Data Sources and Resources: The article mentions specific data sources, such as the Climatic Research Unit (CRU), and provides references to nationally determined contributions, biennial reports, and the WBG Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2021-2025. These resources contribute to a comprehensive understanding of climate data and related initiatives.
In summary, the article covers a wide range of climate-related concepts for the United States, from historical climatology and current climate conditions to projections, vulnerabilities, and adaptation measures. The inclusion of diverse data sources and resources enhances the credibility of the information presented, contributing to a robust overview of the climate landscape in the United States.
