Maps and Graphics:
It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and
precipitation ranks and values
are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final
data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages.
Graphics based on final data are available on this page: National Temperature and Precipitation Maps
For graphics covering periods other than those mentioned above or
for tables of national, regional, and statewide data from
1895-present, for May, last 3 months or other periods, please go to
the Climate At A Glance
page
National Overview:
May:
- May temperatures were above average for the nation as a whole.
The mid-Atlantic region had record or near record statewide
temperatures, while the northern Plains remained cooler than
average. For information on temperature records during the month,
please go to NCDC's Extremes
page.
- The precipitation signal was mixed with wetter than average
conditions in the Northwest and from Louisiana to the Great Lakes,
while dry conditions prevailed in the Southeast and West. Severe
storm outbreaks at both the beginning and end of the month led to a
preliminary assessment of as many as 500 tornadoes occurring during
May 2004. For more information on severe weather and hazards during
May, please visit the Hazards page.
Spring:
- Temperatures were above average nationally, during March-May,
with Florida standing out as the only contiguous state that did not
have significantly above average temperatures statewide. Two states
(Oklahoma and Kansas) had their record warmest spring.
- The precipitation signal for spring shows dryness extending
across the West and Southeast, while the Great Lakes and parts of
the southern Plains and Northeast had above average
precipitation.
- Details of the 2003/2004 snow season can be found on NCDC's monthly snow summary page.
- Indices used to determine
the state of ENSO suggest that the Equatorial Pacific was in a
neutral ENSO phase and Sea
Surface Temperatures were near normal across the equatorial
Pacific during May. To see the
latest NOAA advisory and
typical impacts of a La Nina or El Nino episode for the U.S.,
go to NOAA's
Climate Prediction Center.
For additional details, see the Monthly
Highlights section. For details and graphics on weather
events across the U.S. and the globe go to NCDC's Global Hazards page.
|
Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and
precipitation ranks and values
are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final
data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages.
Graphics based on final data are available on this page: National Temperature and Precipitation Maps
Citing This Report
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, State of the Climate: National Climate Report for May 2004, published online June 2004, retrieved on January 20, 2021 from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/200405.