2012 almost certain to be warmest year on record for U.S.: NOAA

This year is “virtually certain” to be the warmest year on record for the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported.

“The January to November period was the warmest first 11 months of any year on record for the contiguous United States, and for the entire year, 2012 will most likely surpass the current record (1998, 54.3°F) as the warmest year for the nation,” NOAA stated on its website. 

The average temperature in the contiguous U.S. during November was 44.1°F, 2.1°F above the 20th century average, the NOAA said.

Last month was also the 8th driest November on record, with the nationally-averaged precipitation total of 1.19 in. being 0.93 in. below the long-term average.