Daily Feature: May 2021 U.S. Climate Rankings

Early June U.S. Rainfall Deficits Increasing Rapidly!
06/08/2021, 9:04 am EDT
Main Development Region for North Atlantic hurricanes cools at rapid pace in May!
06/10/2021, 1:31 pm EDT
Early June U.S. Rainfall Deficits Increasing Rapidly!
06/08/2021, 9:04 am EDT
Main Development Region for North Atlantic hurricanes cools at rapid pace in May!
06/10/2021, 1:31 pm EDT
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May 2021 U.S. temperature rank: 65 of 127 where 1 is coldest and 127 is hottest.

May 2021 U.S. precipitation rank: 66 of 127 where 1 is driest and 127 is wettest.

Fig. 1: Statewide average temperature ranks for May 2021.

Fig. 2: Statewide average precipitation ranks for May 2021.

Discussion: U.S. rankings for temperature and precipitation were almost exactly in the middle of the 127-year climatology (Fig. 1-2). However, as is often the case, normal (nationally) can be the average of extremes. On the temperature front, California observed their 9th hottest May on record. The cool spot in May was Oklahoma ranking 21st coolest on record. Precipitation extremes are more vivid! California ranked 4th driest on record for May while Florida and Utah were 9th driest. Virginia and Michigan were also very dry in May. Historic rainfall plagued Texas and Louisiana each 5th wettest on record for May.