NOAA Climate Monitoring / Climate At A Glance / Legends / Help
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Explanation of Legend Terminology

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Temperature Ranks

Label Meaning
Record Coldest Coldest such period on record (a 117 yr period of record, 1895-2011)
Much Below Normal One of the 12 coolest such periods on record
Below Normal One of the 39 coolest such periods on record
Near Normal An average temperature that was not one of the 39 warmest or 39 coolest on record
Above Normal One of the 39 warmest such periods on record
Much Above Normal One of the 12 warmest such periods on record
Record Warmest Warmest such period on record

Precipitation Ranks
Label Meaning
Record Driest Driest such period on record (a 117 yr period of record, 1895-2011)
Much Below Normal One of the 12 driest such periods on record
Below Normal One of the 39 driest such periods on record
Near Normal Month (season) that was not one of the 39 wettest or 39 driest on record
Above Normal One of the 39 wettest such periods on record
Much Above Normal One of the 12 wettest such periods on record
Record Wettest Wettest such period on record
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NOAA Climate Monitoring / Climate At A Glance / Legend Explanation / / Help