Maps and Graphics:
Current Month | Most Recent 3 Months | Most Recent 6 Months |
Most Recent 12 Months | US Percent Area Very
Wet/Dry/Warm/Cold |
Monthly Drought Indices |
National Overview:
Despite some cooler than average temperatures in
the East, the mean temperature for the contiguous U.S. was warmer
than average in July 2003. Some western states were much warmer
than average with Idaho having its warmest July on record according
to preliminary data. For additional details, see the Monthly Highlights section. Greater than average rainfall continued across parts of the East, especially in the Ohio Valley. Dryness extended across areas of the Midwest and High Plains. For details and graphics on weather events across the U.S. and the globe go to NCDC's Global Hazards page. The eastern North Pacific hurricane season has been near normal so far this year, with 6 tropical storms having formed as of the end of July. However, no hurricane has yet developed, which is below the climatological average of 3 by July 31. In the Atlantic Basin, Tropical Storm Bill developed in the Gulf of Mexico and came ashore along the Louisiana coast on June 30, leading to extensive rainfall across the Southeast and mid Atlantic in early July. Hurricane Claudette also came ashore in Texas in mid month leading to 3 deaths. Hurricane Danny was a long-lived storm in the northern Atlantic through the latter half of July, however Danny never threatened land. As of July 31, the Atlantic has been more active than the climatology with 4 named storms and 2 hurricanes. See the East Pacific Hurricane page and the Atlantic Hurricane page for further details. Indices used to determine the state of ENSO suggest that the Equatorial Pacific is in a neutral ENSO phase and Sea Surface Temperatures are now near normal across the eastern Pacific. To see the latest NOAA advisory and typical impacts of a La Nina or El Nino episode for the U.S., go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. |
Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
National:
Regional and Statewide:
See NCDC's Monthly Extremes web-page for weather and climate records for the month of July. |