January 2006 Warmest on Record Across the U.S.

This may come as no surprise to you, particularly if you enjoyed the 50 and 60 degree F temperatures in New York City last month. NOAA reports that the United States had its warmest January on record, with an average temperature of 39.5 degrees F, which is 8.5 degrees F (4.7 degrees C) above the 1895-2005 mean of 31.0 degrees F, according to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.. January temperatures were even warmer than December of 2005 by as much as 9 degree F in some places. The second warmest January on record was in 1953, which was 2.3 degrees F cooler. As shown in the map here, throughout January 2006, none of the contiguous U.S. experienced below-average temperatures—each state was warmer than the long-term mean. The higher than average temperatures resulted in a record low residential energy demand for the country. NOAA scientists estimate that residential energy demand was 20 percent below average for this time of year.