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Contents of This Report:
Through climate analysis, National Climatic Data Center scientists have identified nine climatically consistent regions within the contiguous United States which are useful for putting current climate anomalies into an historical perspective.
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July 2000 was the coolest such month on record for Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Seven other states ranked within the top ten cool portion including
Fifteen additional states ranked within the cool third portion of the historical distribution for July 2000. It was the 7th warmest July since 1895 for Utah, 9th warmest for Wyoming, and 10th warmest for Alabama. Thirteen additional states ranked within the warm third of the historical distribution. |
| It was the driest July on record for Texas, the 2nd driest July for Nevada and Utah, and the 3rd driest July since 1895 for Alabama and Mississippi. Eleven other states ranked within the dry third of the distribution.
Nineteen states ranked within the wet third portion of the distribution. |
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July Regional Highlights
Based upon preliminary data, July 2000 was the tenth warmest such month since 1895 for the Southwest region.
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larger imagePreliminary data indicate that July 2000 was the 3rd coolest such month since 1895 for the Northeast region.
It was the 32nd wettest July on record for the Northeast. A combination of abundant cloud cover and precipitation allowed the region to be not only wetter than normal, but cooler than normal as well (see above graphic).
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larger imagePreliminary data indicate that July 2000 was the fifth driest such month since 1895 for the West region.
Preliminary data indicate that precipitation for the growing season-to-date, March-July 2000, averaged slightly above the long-term mean for the Primary Corn and Soybean Belt. The last six such periods have been above the long-term mean.
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January-July 2000 Statewide Ranks
Larger MapForty-five states ranked within the warm third portion of the historical distribution for January-July 2000 while 18 states ranked within the top ten warm. It was the warmest such year-to-date on record for Texas, New Mexico and Utah. It was the second warmest year-to-date for:
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Wyoming
No state ranked within the cool third of the historical distribution.
January-July 2000 was the second driest such period on record for Florida. Fourteen other states ranked within the dry third portion of the distribution. It was the third wettest January-July on record for New York and the fourth wettest January-July on record for Vermont. Sixteen other states ranked within the wet third portion of the distribution.
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January-July Regional Highlights
larger imagePreliminary data indicate that January-July 2000 was the second warmest such period since 1895 for the South region. The last three such seven-month periods have been much above the long-term mean.
Preliminary data indicate that the year-to-date, January-July 2000, was the sixth wettest such period on record for the Northeast region. Three of the last five such periods have been much wetter than the long-term mean.
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larger imagePreliminary data indicate that January-July 2000 was the 14th driest such period since 1895 for the Southeast region. Only two of the last twelve such periods have been much below the long-term mean.
Regional Drought Watch - July
The Palmer Z Index shows how monthly moisture conditions depart from normal (short-term drought and wetness). The July 2000 pattern shows areas of extremely dry conditions located throughout the Rockies and in southwestern and central Texas. Extremely dry conditions were also noted from southern Louisiana through eastern Mississippi, all of Alabama into western Georgia and the panhandle of Florida. Unusually wet conditions were located over south-central Kansas, portions of the Dakotas, northwestern Wisconsin, extreme southeastern Michigan and portions of upstate New York.
larger animated imageThe animated maps show the geographical pattern of the moisture anomalies for the last 12 months. On these maps, the red shading denotes dry conditions while the green shading indicates wet conditions.
The Palmer Drought Index maps show long-term (cumulative) drought and wet spell conditions. By the end of July 2000, long-term drought continued across a large part of the inter-mountain West and most of the Southeast from western South Carolina to central Texas. Patchy long-term wet conditions were found in New England and areas in the northern and southern Plains.
larger animated imageThe animated maps show how the geographical pattern of the long-term moisture conditions has changed over the last 12 months. On these maps, the red shading denotes drought conditions while the green shading indicates wet conditions.
The Palmer Crop Moisture Index is computed on a weekly basis by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center and is useful for following the impact of precipitation anomalies on agriculture. The animated Crop Moisture Index maps show the weekly change in topsoil moisture conditions for 2000 from March 4th through August 5th, the growing season-to-date.
larger animated imageThe animated maps show how the geographical pattern of the long-term moisture conditions has changed over the last four months. On these maps, the red shading denotes dry conditions while the green shading indicates wet conditions.
The Drought In Georgia
The summer 2000 drought in the southeastern U.S. is one of the worst in the region's history. In Georgia, for example, wildfires increased during July, reservoirs dropped to dangerously low levels, and several cities were running out of water. Based on statewide averaged data, Georgia has experienced drought since mid-1998. Twenty-two of the last 27 months have had below-normal precipitation. The statewide aggregate Palmer Drought Index (PDI) indicates that this is the most severe drought since 1986. Based on the PDI, the state has been in continuous drought for the last two years, which is the longest period of uninterrupted drought since the 1950's.
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The Drought In Florida
Drought conditions continue in Florida. Based upon preliminary data, November 1999 through July 2000 was the third driest such nine-month period since 1895 for Florida. Each of the last nine months and 21 of the last 31 months have had below normal rainfall while flows on most rivers in the panhandle of Florida remain well below ten percent of normal. As in Georgia, the statewide aggregate Palmer Drought Index (PDI) indicates that this is the most severe drought since 1986. Based on the PDI, the state has been in a near continuous drought for the last two years, which is the longest period of uninterrupted drought since the 1950's.
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The Drought In Arizona
Eight of the last ten months have averaged below normal for precipitation in Arizona and the ten-month period October 1999 through July 2000 ranks as the driest such period on record. Eighteen of the last 31 months have averaged drier than normal. Although the present drought situation to date is of rather short duration, the magnitude of the present drought has surpassed that of any other drought situation in Arizona since June 1904.
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West and Southwest Regional Summary
Fifteen of the last 31 months have averaged below normal for precipitation in the West Region and 17 of the last 31 months have averaged below normal for precipitaion in the Southwest region. Mostly dry and very warm conditions dominated the last half of July throughout the two regions where dry thunderstorms have made conditions even worse with the igniting of numerous large wildfires. The southwest monsoon had yet to establish itself through the end of July and drought conditions were expanding throughout the Southwest and West.
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Current and historical drought information can be found at the Web Page for the National Drought Mitigation Center. The Center monitors current droughts both in the United States and worldwide.Damage due to the drought has been summarized by NOAA and the Office of Global Programs in the Climatological Impacts section of the Climate Information Project. Crop impact information can be found at the USDA NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) and Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin pages. Drought statements by local National Weather Service Offices can be found at the NWS Hydrologic Information Center. Drought threat assessments and other information can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center.
July Precipitation and Temperature Ranks, Extremes and Normals
Table 1 shows precipitation and temperature ranks for each of the 9 regions and the nation for July 2000, the two-month period of June-July 2000, the six months of February-July 2000, and the past 12 months, August 1999-July 2000.PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE RANKS, BASED ON THE PERIOD 1895-2000. 1 = DRIEST/COLDEST, 106 = WETTEST/WARMEST FOR JULY 2000, 106 = WETTEST/WARMEST FOR JUN-JULY 2000, 106 = WETTEST/WARMEST FOR FEB-JULY 2000, 105 = WETTEST/WARMEST FOR AUG 1999-JULY 2000. JUL JUN-JUL FEB-JUL AUG 1999- REGION 2000 2000 2000 JUL 2000 ------ ---- --------- --------- --------- PRECIPITATION: NORTHEAST 75 78 99 99 EAST NORTH CENTRAL 76 91 80 28 CENTRAL 61 78 64 22 SOUTHEAST 16 16 6 14 WEST NORTH CENTRAL 77 43 45 36 SOUTH 7 57 48 10 SOUTHWEST 5 23 23 16 NORTHWEST 38 30 46 40 WEST 5 22 77 41 NATIONAL 14 48 39 16 TEMPERATURE: NORTHEAST 3 16 85 94 EAST NORTH CENTRAL 32 29 100 99 CENTRAL 20 29 93 95 SOUTHEAST 57 67 90 85 WEST NORTH CENTRAL 86 78 102 104 SOUTH 83 59 105 103 SOUTHWEST 97 99 105 104 NORTHWEST 57 79 97 100 WEST 47 93 102 103 NATIONAL 69* 68 106 104 *National Temperature Rank Based on USHCN.It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and precipitation ranks and values in Tables 1 through 5 are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final data are processed.
Table 2 shows historical extremes for July, the 1961-1990 normal, and the July 2000 value for each of the 9 regions and the contiguous U.S. for precipitation and temperature. It should be noted that the 2000 values will change when the final data are processed.
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
DRIEST WETTEST NORMAL 2000
REGION VALUE YEAR VALUE YEAR PCPN PCPN
------ ---------- ---------- ------ ------
NORTHEAST 2.02 1968 6.57 1897 3.81 4.23
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 0.85 1936 6.13 1993 3.61 4.06
CENTRAL 1.47 1930 8.27 1958 4.25 4.14
SOUTHEAST 2.94 1983 11.55 1916 5.56 4.57
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 0.84 1917 5.56 1993 2.02 2.31
SOUTH 1.34 1980 6.04 1950 3.03 1.78
SOUTHWEST 1.00 1993 3.51 1911 1.83 1.08
NORTHWEST 0.16 1953 2.05 1983 0.73 0.44
WEST 0.00 1903 1.18 1984 0.34 0.05
NATIONAL 1.78 1930 3.85 1950 2.74 2.35*
* PRELIMINARY VALUE, CONFIDENCE
INTERVAL + OR - 0.29 INCHES
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
COLDEST WARMEST NORMAL 2000
REGION VALUE YEAR VALUE YEAR TEMP TEMP
------ ---------- ---------- ------ ------
NORTHEAST 66.1 1962 73.8 1955 69.3 66.7
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 64.0 1992 76.2 1936 70.2 68.9
CENTRAL 71.9 1947 81.2 1901 75.3 73.9
SOUTHEAST 76.3 1947 82.7 1993 78.6 79.1
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 62.7 1915 77.4 1936 69.5 71.3
SOUTH 78.0 1906 85.9 1980 81.3 82.6
SOUTHWEST 70.1 1912 75.9 1901 73.6 75.2
NORTHWEST 58.9 1993 70.6 1906 65.9 66.5
WEST 69.0 1903 78.2 1931 73.8 73.8
NATIONAL* 71.7 1915 77.6 1936 73.9 74.8*
* National Temperature Values based
on USHCN
January-July Precipitation and Temperature Ranks, Extremes and Normals
Table 3 shows precipitation and temperature ranks for each of the 9 regions and the nation for January-July 2000. Based on the period 1895-2000.
TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION RANKINGS FOR
JAN-JUL 2000, BASED ON THE PERIOD 1895-2000.
1 = DRIEST/COLDEST, 106 = WETTEST/HOTTEST.
REGION PRECIPITATION TEMPERATURE
------ ------------- -----------
NORTHEAST 101 84
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 74 102
CENTRAL 56 91
SOUTHEAST 10 79
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 40 100
SOUTH 36 105
SOUTHWEST 21 106
NORTHWEST 56 95
WEST 78 104
NATIONAL 32 106*
*National Temperature Rank Based on USHCN
Table 4 shows historical extremes for January-July, the 1961-1990 normal, and the January-July 2000 value for each of the 9 regions and the contiguous U.S. for precipitation and temperature. It should be noted that the 2000 values will change when the final data are processed.
PRECIPITATION (INCHES)
DRIEST WETTEST NORMAL 2000
REGION VALUE YEAR VALUE YEAR PCPN PCPN
------ ---------- ---------- ------ ------
NORTHEAST 16.63 1965 31.53 1996 23.49 27.98
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 10.51 1988 22.78 1999 17.37 18.78
CENTRAL 17.59 1936 34.59 1950 25.70 26.48
SOUTHEAST 20.79 1986 39.59 1991 31.18 24.30
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 6.98 1934 16.40 1993 11.12 10.84
SOUTH 14.72 1925 29.92 1905 21.06 19.70
SOUTHWEST 4.61 1972 12.68 1905 7.24 6.24
NORTHWEST 8.46 1924 20.17 1983 15.35 15.34
WEST 4.64 1924 20.76 1998 9.83 12.24
NATIONAL 13.66 1934 20.71 1998 17.39 16.97
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)
COLDEST WARMEST NORMAL 2000
REGION VALUE YEAR VALUE YEAR TEMP TEMP
------ ---------- ---------- ------ ------
NORTHEAST 41.9 1907 48.4 1921 44.5 45.8
EAST NORTH CENTRAL 37.9 1912 48.1 1987 42.3 45.2
CENTRAL 48.8 1978 57.1 1921 52.3 54.5
SOUTHEAST 59.5 1940 64.6 1949 61.7 63.4
WEST NORTH CENTRAL 37.9 1950 47.4 1934 42.8 45.9
SOUTH 59.1 1979 64.8 1911 61.6 64.5
SOUTHWEST 47.5 1917 55.3 2000 51.3 55.3
NORTHWEST 42.5 1955 51.0 1934 46.2 48.2
WEST 51.4 1913 57.8 1934 54.3 57.1
NATIONAL* 49.7 1912 54.9 2000 51.7 54.9
* National Temperature Values based
on USHCN
Water Year River Basin Statistics, October 1999-July 2000
Table 5 shows statistics for selected river basins: Precipitation rankings are for October 1999-July 2000, where 1 = driest, and 105 = wettest, based on the period 1895 to 2000. Also shown is the areal percent of the basin experiencing severe or extreme long-term (Palmer) drought, and areal percent of the basin experiencing severe or extreme long-term (Palmer) wet conditions, as of July 2000.PRECIPITATION % AREA % AREA RIVER BASIN RANK DRY WET ----------- ------------- ------ ------ MISSOURI BASIN 16 26.1% 11.9% PACIFIC NORTHWEST BASIN 45 15.2% 0.0% CALIFORNIA RIVER BASIN 50 37.6% 0.0% GREAT BASIN 11 82.9% 0.0% UPPER COLORADO BASIN 4 100.0% 0.0% LOWER COLORADO BASIN 2 100.0% 0.0% RIO GRANDE BASIN 10 70.5% 0.0% ARKANSAS-WHITE-RED BASIN 57 0.0% 11.4% TEXAS GULF COAST BASIN 22 25.6% 0.0% SOURIS-RED-RAINY BASIN 38 0.0% 39.1% UPPER MISSISSIPPI BASIN 39 0.0% 0.0% LOWER MISSISSIPPI BASIN 6 32.7% 0.0% GREAT LAKES BASIN 72 0.0% 7.2% OHIO RIVER BASIN 48 0.4% 0.0% TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 17 12.3% 0.0% NEW ENGLAND BASIN 80 0.0% 7.7% MID-ATLANTIC BASIN 78 0.0% 24.3% SOUTH ATLANTIC-GULF BASIN 6 53.4% 0.0%The river basin regions are defined by the U.S. Water Resources Council.
For more information, refer to ...References:
Thomas R. Karl and Albert J. Koscielny, 1982: "Drought in the United States: 1895-1981." Journal of Climatology, vol. 2, pp. 313-329.
Thomas R. Karl and Walter James Koss, 1984: "Regional and National Monthly, Seasonal, and Annual Temperature Weighted by Area, 1895-1983." Historical Climatology Series 4-3, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC, 38 pp.
NOAA's National Climatic Data Center is the world's largest active archive of weather data. The preliminary temperature and precipitation rankings are available from the center by calling: 828-271-4800.
Historical precipitation and temperature ranking maps are also available on the Internet courtesy of the Climate Prediction Center.
NOAA works closely with the academic and scientific communities on climate-related research projects to increase the understanding of El Niño and improve forecasting techniques. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center monitors, analyzes and predicts climate events ranging from weeks to seasons for the nation. NOAA also operates the network of data buoys and satellites that provide vital information about the ocean waters, and initiates research projects to improve future climate forecasts. The long lead climate outlooks are available from the Climate Prediction Center.
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services DivisionFor further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov
William Brown-or-
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: william.brown@noaa.gov
Jay Lawrimore
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: jay.lawrimore@noaa.gov
NCDC / Climate Research / Climate of 2000 / July / Search / Help
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