2016 Rankings

As the end of the year approaches, we begin a series of reports on temperature records. Like the previous two years, 2016 is on pace to be the hottest year on record globally. In the U.S., the average temperature for the year is on track to be the second hottest in 122 years of records. This week, we drilled down to the local level and examined how hot each of our Climate Matters markets has been in 2016 through the end of November.

Additionally, a Climate Central analysis of more than 1,750 stations across the country indicates:

• 99% of the stations have an average year-to-date temperature higher than their historical median temperature

• 13% of those stations are having their hottest year on record

• 51% of those stations are having one of their 5 hottest years on record

The Southeast drought that began during the summer worsened this fall. Despite beneficial rain in the last week of November, xx states still had one of their 5 driest Novembers on record, contributing to the eruption of wildfires there earlier this month.

Methodology: Data acquired from the Applied Climate Information System. Years with insufficient data (35+ days missing) are not represented graphically.