 Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire charred nearly 300,000 acres and was the largest on record for New Mexico.
Once the summer season ended, temperatures compared to normal were not in record-setting territory but still above average and precipitation remained below average.
Each season of 2012 had below average precipitation and the year as a whole ranked 15th driest on record. As of January 1 (2013), 61 percent of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing at least moderate drought which, unless there is abundant winter and spring precipitation, could mean another very challenging summer ahead for agriculture in the Heartland.
The record-setting average temperatures in 2012 fit into a long-term pattern of warming temperatures in the U.S.
“We’ve entered a stage now, where [the warming trend] is going to be pretty obvious to the man on the street,” Karl said. “[This year’s warmth] doesn’t mean every season and every year will be this warm, but you’re going to see this with increasing frequency.”
Just as temperatures were warm in the U.S., they were also warm globally. Through November, global temperatures ranked 8th warmest on record in 2012. NCDC will release its year-end report for the globe next week.