News | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Tea plantation in Indonesia with bright yellow sky in the background.

January 12, 2024

Assessing the Global Climate in 2023

Highlights: NOAA ranks 2023 as the warmest year in its global temperature record, which dates back to 1850. There is a one-in-three chance that 2024 will be warmer than 2023 and a 99% chance that 2024 will rank among the five warmest years on record. Upper ocean heat content—the amount of heat stored in the top 2000 meters of the ocean—was record high in 2023.

Wintry Central Park landscape with yellow-hued city lights in the background.

January 11, 2024

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for January 9, 2024

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 26.7% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Aerial view of Lake Berrynessa in California during drought. Low levels of blue-green water show exposed layers of brown shoreline with assorted scrub-type vegetation at higher elevations.

January 10, 2024

User Perceptions of Drought Indices in North American Climates

An international study helps users select appropriate drought indices and indicators to monitor drought in the diverse climates of North America.

Snow falling in New York City with a vibrant pink and purple sunset in the background.

January 9, 2024

Assessing the U.S. Climate in 2023

During 2023, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 54.4°F, 2.4°F above the 20th-century average.

January 8, 2024

Participating in the 2024 ESIP January Meeting

NCEI scientists and partners explore Earth science data for all people at the 2024 January Meeting of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP).

January 5, 2024

Updated January 5, 2024

December Regional Climate Impacts and Outlooks

The December three-month summaries of climate impacts and outlooks are now available for 13 regions and subregions.

Panoramic image of snow covered mountains with a person far away in the background.

January 4, 2024

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for January 2, 2024

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 27.6% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Pink sunset after a storm in Asheville, NC with an apartment building in the forefront.

December 28, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for December 26, 2023

According to the December 26, 2023 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 27.1% of the United States including Puerto Rico, a decrease from last week’s 27.9%. The worst drought categories (extreme to exceptional drought) slightly decreased from 5.5% last week to 5.4%.

The sun setting with yellow and red hues over a snowy mountain landscape.

December 21, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for December 19, 2023

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 27.9% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Waterfall in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by lush greenery.

December 15, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for December 12, 2023

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 28.1% of the United States including Puerto Rico.