News

There’s a lot going on at NCEI. Discover more about us and Earth’s climate, oceans, coasts, and geophysics in these featured news stories.

U.S. Drought Monitor Update for August 13, 2019

August 15, 2019

According to the August 13 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to extreme drought covers 6.8% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Picture of California vineyard

Assessing the Global Climate in July 2019

August 15, 2019

The global land and ocean temperature departure from average for July 2019 was the highest on record for the month of July, making it the warmest month overall on record.

Picture of savannah in Kenya, Africa

Reporting on the State of the Climate in 2018

August 12, 2019

We’re announcing the release of the State of the Climate in 2018 report, an annual assessment of Earth’s climate system.

2018 State of the Climate Report Cover

U.S. Drought Monitor Update for August 6, 2019

August 8, 2019

According to the August 6 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to extreme drought covers 5.6% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Picture of hot air balloons over a wheat field

Assessing the U.S. Climate in July 2019

August 7, 2019

During July, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 74.6°F, 1.0°F above the 20th century average.

Photo of old barn on hilly agricultural field on sunny day

Accounting for Natural Variability in Our Changing Climate

August 5, 2019

An alternative method has been developed for U.S. averages of temperature and precipitation that accounts for climate variability and change.

Sea surface temperature visualization of Pacific Ocean by NOAA NNVL

U.S. Drought Monitor Update for July 30, 2019

August 1, 2019

According to the July 30 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to extreme drought covers 6.9% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Picture of Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona

U.S. Drought Monitor Update for July 23, 2019

July 25, 2019

According to the July 23 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 6.6% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Picture of purple flowers in New Mexico

U.S. Drought Monitor Update for July 16, 2019

July 18, 2019

According to the July 16 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to extreme drought covers 6.6% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Picture of cereals field in the sun

Assessing the Global Climate in June 2019

July 18, 2019

The global land and ocean temperature departure from average for June 2019 was highest on record for the month of June.

Photo of panoramic view of landscape with sun on horizon