2015 was the Second-Hottest Year to be recorded in the U.S.
No matter where you lived in the United States, temperatures were above average in 2015.
According to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2015 was the second-hottest year to ever be recorded in the U.S. The average temperature was 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average temperature recorded in the 20th century. The report noted 2015 was the 19th straight year to have an average temperature that was higher than the 20th century average.
The 2015 average is just 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the record-setting average temperature recorded in 2012.
The overall average temperature was greatly affected by 2015's extremely mild December. According to the report, the average temperature for December was the highest to ever be recorded. The average temperature for December was six degrees Fahrenheit above average and almost one degree Fahrenheit above the record set in 1939.
December 2015 was also the wettest December ever with an average precipitation rate of 3.93 inches, which is 1.58 inches higher than normal. This past December is also the only month to ever have record-setting temperatures and precipitation rates.
Dec. 2015 was the first time any month that has been record wet AND record warm for the US in 121 years of records pic.twitter.com/vBNrHpSVs5
— Brian L Kahn (@blkahn) January 7, 2016
Before the December numbers were in, 2015 was on track to becoming the fifth warmest year in the U.S.
Other data revealed:
- Every single state experienced average temperatures that were warmer than the 20th century average.
-There were a total of 10 weather and climate events that led to disastrous situations, which included one drought, two floods, five storms, one wildfire event and one winter storm.
-Each event led to losses that were greater than $1 billion.
-There were a total of 155 deaths from these events.
For more information on the report, read the NOAA report here.
