U.S. experiences warm and dry June; drought expands to 56% of Lower 48
Nation experiences warmest first-half of year; wildfires claim 1.3 million acres across nation The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during June was 71.2°F, which is 2.0°F above the 20th century average. Scorching temperatures during the second half of the month led to at least 170 all-time high temperature records broken or tied. The June temperatures contributed to a record-warm first half of the year and the warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895. Precipitation totals across the country were mixed during June. The Lower 48, as a whole, experienced its tenth driest June on record, with a nationally-averaged precipitation total of 2.27 inches, 0.62 inch below average. Record and near-record dry conditions were present across the Intermountain West, while Tropical Storm Debby dropped record precipitation across Florida. Note: The June Monthly Climate Report for the United States has several pages of supplemental information and data regarding some of the exceptional events from the month and season.
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