https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/ NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information monthly report on the state of the climate NCEI.Monitoring.Info@noaa.gov (NCEI Monitoring Info) en-US Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202605 The May contiguous U.S. average temperature was 61.70 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.51 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1901-2000 average. The precipitation total was 2.86 inches, 0.05 inches (1.7%) below the 1901-2000 mean. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202605 The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for May was 1.07 degrees C (1.93 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1901-2000 average of 15.5 degrees C (59.9 degrees Fahrenheit). The precipitation total was 84.02 mm, 2.28 mm (2.8%) above the 1979-2000 average. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-drought/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-drought/202605 This report synthesizes data from the following sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI): Global temperature data (1850-2026). European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ERA5 Reanalysis: Global precipitation data (1940-2026), as well as temperature data for Australia. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/upper-air/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/upper-air/202605 May Mid-troposphere temperature anomalies: 0.705 degrees C (NESDIS STAR). Lower Stratosphere temperature anomalies: -0.087 degrees C (NESDIS STAR). Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/202605 Two named storms occurred across the globe in May, which was below the 1991-2020 average of 3.8. One of those reached tropical cyclone strength (greater than or equal to 74 mph), and neither reached major tropical cyclone strength (greater than or equal to 111 mph). The global accumulated cyclone energy (ACE: an integrated metric of the strength, frequency, and duration of tropical storms) was 6.4x10^4kt^2 or about 25% of the 1991-2020 average for May. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/202605 The United States typically experiences peak tornadic activity during May, with a 1991–2020 climatological average of 268 occurrences. This activity is driven by the northward migration of the jet stream, which shifts the primary setup for tornadic development across the southern and central Plains as well as parts of the Midwest. Preliminary data from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) indicate that May 2026 experienced below-average activity, with 168 reported tornadoes. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/synoptic/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/synoptic/202605 Note: WPO and EPO plots as well as 500-hPa maps have been omitted from this report due to incomplete data. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 global https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-snow/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global-snow/202605 During May, Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent (SCE) was 17.89 million square km (6.91 million square miles), 1.81% below the 1991-2020 average. Global Sea Ice Extent was 21.48 million square km (8.29 million square miles), 7.49% below the 1991-2020 average. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/fire/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/fire/202605 For May, 6446 fires (13th most since 2000) burned 562508 acres (6th most on record), which is 87.26 acres burned/fire (5th most). For March - May, 22617 fires (9th most) burned 2024727 acres (3rd most), which is 89.52 acres burned/fire (3rd most). For January - May, 30512 fires (8th most) burned 2410718 acres (3rd most), which is 79.01 acres burned/fire (4th most). Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 national https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/202605 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/drought/202605 As of May 26th, 60.77% of the Contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought conditions, 41.72% was in severe drought, 16.74% extreme, and 2.18% exceptional. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400