Climate Monitoring / Climate of 2006 / February / U.S. Climate / Help
U.S. National Overview February and Winter 2006
National Climatic Data Center
Asheville, North Carolina
6 March 2006
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Global Analysis / Global Hazards /
United States / U.S. Drought /
Extremes
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 the Climate Monitoring Products page.
For graphics covering periods other than those mentioned above or for tables of national, regional, and statewide data from 1895-present, for February, last 3 months or other periods, please go to the Climate At A Glance page.
National Overview:
- February temperatures were near average for the nation with no states much warmer or much cooler than their long-term means. For information on temperature records during the month, please go to NCDC's Extremes page.
- Precipitation was much below average for the contiguous US ranking 9th driest on record. Much drier than average conditions occurred in the central and southern Plains as well as the Southwest. For more information on drought during February, please visit the U.S. Drought page.
- December-February temperatures were near much above average for the nation ranking 5th warmest on record. A record warm January dominated the winter average. For information on temperature records during the season, please go
to NCDC's Extremes page.
- Precipitation was near average for the contiguous US. Much drier than average conditions occurred in the central and southern Plains as well as the Southwest, while wetter than average conditions prevailed across parts of the Far West and Northwest. For more information on drought during winter, please visit the U.S. Drought page.
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.
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Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
National:
For tables of national, regional, and statewide data from 1895-present, for February, last 3 months or other periods, please go to the Climate At A Glance page.
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- February 2006 ranked as the 45th warmest February in the 1895 to present record, or near the long-term mean. The preliminary nationally averaged temperature was 35.8°F (2.1°C), which was 1.2°F (0.7°C) above the long-term mean.
- February 2006 had much below average precipitation, nationally, ranking 9th driest.
- For the last 3 months temperature was much above average and ranked as the 5th warmest such period in the 1895 to present record. The preliminary nationally averaged temperature for December-February was 36.3°F (2.1°C) which was 3.2°F (1.8°C) above the long-term mean.
- December 2005-February 2006 had near average precipitation, ranking 40th driest in the last 111 years.
- Temperature over the past 6 months (September-February) was 3rd warmest on record for the nation. The preliminary nationally averaged temperature was 46.5°F (8.1°C) which was 2.8°F (1.6°C) above the long-term mean.
- September 2005-February 2006 had below average precipitation, nationally, ranking 37th driest.
- The March 2005-February 2006 temperature was much above average and ranked as the 4th warmest such period in the 1895 to present record. The preliminary nationally averaged temperature was 54.6°F (12.1°C) which was 1.8°F (1.0°C) above the long-term mean.
- Precipitation was near average for March-February, ranking 49th driest for the last 12 months based on a record of 111 such periods.
Regional and Statewide:
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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 the Climate Monitoring Products page.
For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
Climate Services Division NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4876 phone: 828-271-4800 email: ncdc.info@noaa.gov
For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
Jay Lawrimore NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov
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Climate Monitoring / February / U.S. Climate / Help
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