U.S. and Global Temperature
Weather and Climate
Temperature
How average air temperature has changed across the contiguous United States and worldwide since 1901, and how those changes vary by climate division.
This indicator describes trends in average surface temperature for the United States and the world.
Figures
Figure 1. Temperature Changes in the Contiguous 48 States
Data source: NOAA, 2024; ERG workbook “1-2 US and Global Temperature 04-21-24.xlsx”
Web update: June 2024
The dark blue line shows the annual surface temperature anomaly, and the orange line smooths it into a 5-year average. The teal and maroon lines show two independent satellite analyses (UAH and RSS) of the lower atmosphere, available since 1979. The dashed grey line is the long-term linear trend fit to the surface record. Hover any point for its exact value.
Show the data behind this figure
| year | Annual average | 5-year average | Satellite (UAH), adjusted | Satellite (RSS), adjusted | Linear trend, 1901-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | -0.15 | NA | NA | NA | -0.74 |
| 1902 | -0.43 | NA | NA | NA | -0.73 |
| 1903 | -1.40 | -0.77 | NA | NA | -0.71 |
| 1904 | -0.86 | -0.80 | NA | NA | -0.69 |
| 1905 | -1.02 | -0.82 | NA | NA | -0.68 |
| 1906 | -0.29 | -0.53 | NA | NA | -0.66 |
| 1907 | -0.54 | -0.48 | NA | NA | -0.64 |
| 1908 | 0.06 | -0.19 | NA | NA | -0.63 |
| 1909 | -0.59 | -0.13 | NA | NA | -0.61 |
| 1910 | 0.40 | -0.38 | NA | NA | -0.59 |
| 1911 | 0.01 | -0.49 | NA | NA | -0.57 |
| 1912 | -1.79 | -0.41 | NA | NA | -0.56 |
| 1913 | -0.48 | -0.60 | NA | NA | -0.54 |
| 1914 | -0.18 | -0.84 | NA | NA | -0.52 |
| 1915 | -0.57 | -0.87 | NA | NA | -0.51 |
| 1916 | -1.17 | -0.81 | NA | NA | -0.49 |
| 1917 | -1.96 | -0.86 | NA | NA | -0.47 |
| 1918 | -0.15 | -0.94 | NA | NA | -0.46 |
| 1919 | -0.47 | -0.35 | NA | NA | -0.44 |
| 1920 | -0.95 | 0.04 | NA | NA | -0.42 |
| 1921 | 1.78 | 0.00 | NA | NA | -0.40 |
| 1922 | 0.01 | -0.19 | NA | NA | -0.39 |
| 1923 | -0.38 | 0.10 | NA | NA | -0.37 |
| 1924 | -1.43 | -0.27 | NA | NA | -0.35 |
| 1925 | 0.50 | -0.25 | NA | NA | -0.34 |
| 1926 | -0.07 | -0.19 | NA | NA | -0.32 |
| 1927 | 0.13 | -0.14 | NA | NA | -0.30 |
| 1928 | -0.10 | -0.25 | NA | NA | -0.28 |
| 1929 | -1.17 | 0.07 | NA | NA | -0.27 |
| 1930 | -0.04 | -0.02 | NA | NA | -0.25 |
| 1931 | 1.52 | 0.20 | NA | NA | -0.23 |
| 1932 | -0.29 | 0.85 | NA | NA | -0.22 |
| 1933 | 0.97 | 0.83 | NA | NA | -0.20 |
| 1934 | 2.08 | 0.55 | NA | NA | -0.18 |
| 1935 | -0.12 | 0.52 | NA | NA | -0.17 |
| 1936 | 0.13 | 0.56 | NA | NA | -0.15 |
| 1937 | -0.47 | 0.39 | NA | NA | -0.13 |
| 1938 | 1.16 | 0.39 | NA | NA | -0.11 |
| 1939 | 1.24 | 0.49 | NA | NA | -0.10 |
| 1940 | -0.13 | 0.55 | NA | NA | -0.08 |
| 1941 | 0.64 | 0.32 | NA | NA | -0.06 |
| 1942 | -0.18 | 0.04 | NA | NA | -0.05 |
| 1943 | 0.05 | 0.01 | NA | NA | -0.03 |
| 1944 | -0.19 | 0.07 | NA | NA | -0.01 |
| 1945 | -0.27 | 0.08 | NA | NA | 0.00 |
| 1946 | 0.93 | -0.01 | NA | NA | 0.02 |
| 1947 | -0.10 | 0.03 | NA | NA | 0.04 |
| 1948 | -0.41 | -0.04 | NA | NA | 0.06 |
| 1949 | 0.00 | -0.41 | NA | NA | 0.07 |
| 1950 | -0.63 | -0.34 | NA | NA | 0.09 |
| 1951 | -0.90 | 0.01 | NA | NA | 0.11 |
| 1952 | 0.25 | 0.28 | NA | NA | 0.12 |
| 1953 | 1.35 | 0.34 | NA | NA | 0.14 |
| 1954 | 1.31 | 0.58 | NA | NA | 0.16 |
| 1955 | -0.33 | 0.53 | NA | NA | 0.18 |
| 1956 | 0.32 | 0.25 | NA | NA | 0.19 |
| 1957 | 0.02 | 0.00 | NA | NA | 0.21 |
| 1958 | -0.09 | -0.05 | NA | NA | 0.23 |
| 1959 | 0.09 | -0.14 | NA | NA | 0.24 |
| 1960 | -0.58 | -0.17 | NA | NA | 0.26 |
| 1961 | -0.15 | -0.10 | NA | NA | 0.28 |
| 1962 | -0.12 | -0.19 | NA | NA | 0.29 |
| 1963 | 0.24 | -0.14 | NA | NA | 0.31 |
| 1964 | -0.35 | -0.22 | NA | NA | 0.33 |
| 1965 | -0.33 | -0.25 | NA | NA | 0.35 |
| 1966 | -0.53 | -0.43 | NA | NA | 0.36 |
| 1967 | -0.26 | -0.47 | NA | NA | 0.38 |
| 1968 | -0.70 | -0.48 | NA | NA | 0.40 |
| 1969 | -0.52 | -0.45 | NA | NA | 0.41 |
| 1970 | -0.41 | -0.53 | NA | NA | 0.43 |
| 1971 | -0.36 | -0.33 | NA | NA | 0.45 |
| 1972 | -0.65 | -0.18 | NA | NA | 0.46 |
| 1973 | 0.27 | -0.20 | NA | NA | 0.48 |
| 1974 | 0.24 | -0.24 | NA | NA | 0.50 |
| 1975 | -0.52 | -0.01 | NA | NA | 0.52 |
| 1976 | -0.55 | -0.25 | NA | NA | 0.53 |
| 1977 | 0.53 | -0.53 | NA | NA | 0.55 |
| 1978 | -0.97 | -0.35 | NA | NA | 0.57 |
| 1979 | -1.14 | -0.02 | 0.05 | -0.81 | 0.58 |
| 1980 | 0.37 | -0.26 | 0.73 | 0.18 | 0.60 |
| 1981 | 1.10 | -0.10 | 1.10 | 0.66 | 0.62 |
| 1982 | -0.67 | 0.12 | 0.01 | -0.58 | 0.64 |
| 1983 | -0.14 | -0.09 | 0.03 | -0.38 | 0.65 |
| 1984 | -0.04 | -0.05 | 0.29 | -0.22 | 0.67 |
| 1985 | -0.72 | 0.34 | 0.11 | -1.05 | 0.69 |
| 1986 | 1.30 | 0.49 | 1.22 | 0.74 | 0.70 |
| 1987 | 1.31 | 0.46 | 1.05 | 1.11 | 0.72 |
| 1988 | 0.61 | 0.91 | 0.70 | 0.56 | 0.74 |
| 1989 | -0.18 | 0.87 | 0.55 | 0.22 | 0.75 |
| 1990 | 1.49 | 0.73 | 1.45 | 1.28 | 0.77 |
| 1991 | 1.14 | 0.45 | 1.03 | 1.04 | 0.79 |
| 1992 | 0.58 | 0.66 | 0.48 | 0.59 | 0.81 |
| 1993 | -0.76 | 0.49 | -0.17 | -0.26 | 0.82 |
| 1994 | 0.85 | 0.23 | 1.04 | 1.08 | 0.84 |
| 1995 | 0.63 | 0.15 | 0.80 | 0.77 | 0.86 |
| 1996 | -0.13 | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.28 | 0.87 |
| 1997 | 0.18 | 0.95 | 0.46 | 0.42 | 0.89 |
| 1998 | 2.21 | 1.07 | 1.69 | 1.91 | 0.91 |
| 1999 | 1.86 | 1.44 | 1.80 | 1.88 | 0.92 |
| 2000 | 1.25 | 1.64 | 1.35 | 1.47 | 0.94 |
| 2001 | 1.68 | 1.44 | 1.26 | 1.54 | 0.96 |
| 2002 | 1.19 | 1.29 | 0.99 | 1.14 | 0.98 |
| 2003 | 1.24 | 1.36 | 1.22 | 1.47 | 0.99 |
| 2004 | 1.08 | 1.47 | 0.77 | 1.06 | 1.01 |
| 2005 | 1.62 | 1.56 | 1.30 | 1.58 | 1.03 |
| 2006 | 2.23 | 1.37 | 1.44 | 1.75 | 1.04 |
| 2007 | 1.63 | 1.22 | 1.77 | 1.86 | 1.06 |
| 2008 | 0.27 | 1.09 | 0.47 | 0.50 | 1.08 |
| 2009 | 0.37 | 0.88 | 0.52 | 0.60 | 1.10 |
| 2010 | 0.96 | 1.20 | 0.93 | 1.00 | 1.11 |
| 2011 | 1.16 | 1.23 | 1.01 | 1.11 | 1.13 |
| 2012 | 3.26 | 1.26 | 1.96 | 2.68 | 1.15 |
| 2013 | 0.41 | 1.55 | 0.66 | 0.70 | 1.16 |
| 2014 | 0.52 | 1.89 | 0.76 | 0.78 | 1.18 |
| 2015 | 2.38 | 1.75 | 2.23 | 2.55 | 1.20 |
| 2016 | 2.90 | 1.97 | 2.03 | 2.48 | 1.21 |
| 2017 | 2.53 | 1.99 | 2.25 | 2.35 | 1.23 |
| 2018 | 1.50 | 1.99 | 1.65 | 1.79 | 1.25 |
| 2019 | 0.66 | 1.91 | 1.13 | 1.22 | 1.27 |
| 2020 | 2.35 | 1.67 | 1.97 | 2.29 | 1.28 |
| 2021 | 2.49 | 1.85 | 2.06 | 2.49 | 1.30 |
| 2022 | 1.37 | NA | 1.57 | 1.60 | 1.32 |
| 2023 | 2.39 | NA | NA | 1.89 | 1.33 |
Figure 2. Temperature Changes Worldwide
Data source: NOAA, 2024; ERG workbook “1-2 US and Global Temperature 04-21-24.xlsx”
Web update: June 2024
Same shape as Figure 1, at the global scale, except the source data has no separate 5-year average series: the annual surface anomaly, the two satellite records (UAH and RSS), and the long-term trend. Hover any point for its exact value.
Show the data behind this figure
| year | Annual average | Satellite (UAH), adjusted | Satellite (RSS), adjusted | Linear trend, 1901-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | -0.20 | NA | NA | -0.81 |
| 1902 | -0.40 | NA | NA | -0.79 |
| 1903 | -0.65 | NA | NA | -0.77 |
| 1904 | -0.77 | NA | NA | -0.76 |
| 1905 | -0.45 | NA | NA | -0.74 |
| 1906 | -0.29 | NA | NA | -0.72 |
| 1907 | -0.61 | NA | NA | -0.70 |
| 1908 | -0.74 | NA | NA | -0.69 |
| 1909 | -0.76 | NA | NA | -0.67 |
| 1910 | -0.67 | NA | NA | -0.65 |
| 1911 | -0.72 | NA | NA | -0.63 |
| 1912 | -0.59 | NA | NA | -0.62 |
| 1913 | -0.58 | NA | NA | -0.60 |
| 1914 | -0.25 | NA | NA | -0.58 |
| 1915 | -0.14 | NA | NA | -0.56 |
| 1916 | -0.54 | NA | NA | -0.55 |
| 1917 | -0.77 | NA | NA | -0.53 |
| 1918 | -0.54 | NA | NA | -0.51 |
| 1919 | -0.41 | NA | NA | -0.49 |
| 1920 | -0.41 | NA | NA | -0.48 |
| 1921 | -0.29 | NA | NA | -0.46 |
| 1922 | -0.41 | NA | NA | -0.44 |
| 1923 | -0.45 | NA | NA | -0.42 |
| 1924 | -0.41 | NA | NA | -0.41 |
| 1925 | -0.36 | NA | NA | -0.39 |
| 1926 | -0.13 | NA | NA | -0.37 |
| 1927 | -0.31 | NA | NA | -0.35 |
| 1928 | -0.29 | NA | NA | -0.34 |
| 1929 | -0.58 | NA | NA | -0.32 |
| 1930 | -0.20 | NA | NA | -0.30 |
| 1931 | -0.09 | NA | NA | -0.28 |
| 1932 | -0.22 | NA | NA | -0.27 |
| 1933 | -0.43 | NA | NA | -0.25 |
| 1934 | -0.18 | NA | NA | -0.23 |
| 1935 | -0.27 | NA | NA | -0.21 |
| 1936 | -0.20 | NA | NA | -0.20 |
| 1937 | -0.02 | NA | NA | -0.18 |
| 1938 | 0.02 | NA | NA | -0.16 |
| 1939 | 0.04 | NA | NA | -0.14 |
| 1940 | 0.27 | NA | NA | -0.13 |
| 1941 | 0.41 | NA | NA | -0.11 |
| 1942 | 0.16 | NA | NA | -0.09 |
| 1943 | 0.14 | NA | NA | -0.07 |
| 1944 | 0.43 | NA | NA | -0.06 |
| 1945 | 0.27 | NA | NA | -0.04 |
| 1946 | -0.07 | NA | NA | -0.02 |
| 1947 | 0.00 | NA | NA | 0.00 |
| 1948 | -0.13 | NA | NA | 0.01 |
| 1949 | -0.11 | NA | NA | 0.03 |
| 1950 | -0.23 | NA | NA | 0.05 |
| 1951 | -0.05 | NA | NA | 0.07 |
| 1952 | 0.09 | NA | NA | 0.08 |
| 1953 | 0.18 | NA | NA | 0.10 |
| 1954 | -0.16 | NA | NA | 0.12 |
| 1955 | -0.22 | NA | NA | 0.14 |
| 1956 | -0.29 | NA | NA | 0.15 |
| 1957 | 0.11 | NA | NA | 0.17 |
| 1958 | 0.16 | NA | NA | 0.19 |
| 1959 | 0.13 | NA | NA | 0.21 |
| 1960 | 0.02 | NA | NA | 0.22 |
| 1961 | 0.14 | NA | NA | 0.24 |
| 1962 | 0.09 | NA | NA | 0.26 |
| 1963 | 0.13 | NA | NA | 0.28 |
| 1964 | -0.31 | NA | NA | 0.29 |
| 1965 | -0.14 | NA | NA | 0.31 |
| 1966 | -0.05 | NA | NA | 0.33 |
| 1967 | 0.02 | NA | NA | 0.35 |
| 1968 | -0.09 | NA | NA | 0.36 |
| 1969 | 0.18 | NA | NA | 0.38 |
| 1970 | 0.09 | NA | NA | 0.40 |
| 1971 | -0.11 | NA | NA | 0.42 |
| 1972 | 0.11 | NA | NA | 0.43 |
| 1973 | 0.34 | NA | NA | 0.45 |
| 1974 | -0.09 | NA | NA | 0.47 |
| 1975 | 0.02 | NA | NA | 0.49 |
| 1976 | -0.09 | NA | NA | 0.50 |
| 1977 | 0.36 | NA | NA | 0.52 |
| 1978 | 0.18 | NA | NA | 0.54 |
| 1979 | 0.36 | 0.50 | 0.30 | 0.56 |
| 1980 | 0.56 | 0.80 | 0.57 | 0.57 |
| 1981 | 0.63 | 0.68 | 0.54 | 0.59 |
| 1982 | 0.31 | 0.35 | 0.20 | 0.61 |
| 1983 | 0.63 | 0.80 | 0.59 | 0.63 |
| 1984 | 0.34 | 0.45 | 0.14 | 0.64 |
| 1985 | 0.29 | 0.23 | 0.05 | 0.66 |
| 1986 | 0.40 | 0.49 | 0.25 | 0.68 |
| 1987 | 0.61 | 0.97 | 0.76 | 0.70 |
| 1988 | 0.72 | 0.95 | 0.70 | 0.71 |
| 1989 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.35 | 0.73 |
| 1990 | 0.81 | 0.90 | 0.66 | 0.75 |
| 1991 | 0.76 | 0.92 | 0.74 | 0.77 |
| 1992 | 0.43 | 0.38 | 0.27 | 0.78 |
| 1993 | 0.49 | 0.51 | 0.38 | 0.80 |
| 1994 | 0.59 | 0.76 | 0.61 | 0.82 |
| 1995 | 0.86 | 1.01 | 0.85 | 0.84 |
| 1996 | 0.63 | 0.86 | 0.68 | 0.85 |
| 1997 | 0.88 | 0.87 | 0.74 | 0.87 |
| 1998 | 1.13 | 1.75 | 1.55 | 0.89 |
| 1999 | 0.74 | 0.85 | 0.74 | 0.91 |
| 2000 | 0.74 | 0.84 | 0.73 | 0.92 |
| 2001 | 0.99 | 1.09 | 1.02 | 0.94 |
| 2002 | 1.12 | 1.27 | 1.22 | 0.96 |
| 2003 | 1.13 | 1.22 | 1.24 | 0.98 |
| 2004 | 1.01 | 1.02 | 1.12 | 0.99 |
| 2005 | 1.26 | 1.24 | 1.35 | 1.01 |
| 2006 | 1.19 | 1.08 | 1.20 | 1.03 |
| 2007 | 1.17 | 1.17 | 1.26 | 1.05 |
| 2008 | 0.97 | 0.70 | 0.90 | 1.06 |
| 2009 | 1.21 | 1.05 | 1.18 | 1.08 |
| 2010 | 1.33 | 1.47 | 1.60 | 1.10 |
| 2011 | 1.10 | 0.91 | 1.04 | 1.12 |
| 2012 | 1.17 | 0.97 | 1.15 | 1.13 |
| 2013 | 1.22 | 1.13 | 1.28 | 1.15 |
| 2014 | 1.35 | 1.21 | 1.38 | 1.17 |
| 2015 | 1.64 | 1.38 | 1.61 | 1.19 |
| 2016 | 1.85 | 1.83 | 1.95 | 1.20 |
| 2017 | 1.69 | 1.61 | 1.73 | 1.22 |
| 2018 | 1.57 | 1.29 | 1.49 | 1.24 |
| 2019 | 1.76 | 1.68 | 1.85 | 1.26 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 1.77 | 1.96 | 1.27 |
| 2021 | 1.55 | 1.38 | 1.62 | 1.29 |
| 2022 | 1.62 | 1.44 | 1.59 | 1.31 |
| 2023 | 2.14 | NA | 2.10 | 1.33 |
Figure 3. Rate of Temperature Change in the United States, 1901-2023
Data source: NOAA, 2024
Web update: June 2024
EPA’s own published figure is a map; the underlying data is one rate of change per climate division, not station points or division boundaries, so there is no geometry here to place on a map the way other indicators on this site do. Instead, this chart shows every climate division’s own rate, split by which baseline period it uses: the contiguous 48 states are measured against 1901-2000, and Alaska’s 12 divisions against 1925-2000. Hover any point for its climate division and rate. EPA also publishes an interactive version of the original map.
Show the data behind this figure
| Climate division | Baseline period | Rate (°F per century) |
|---|---|---|
| 3004 | 1901-2000 | +3.663 |
| 2803 | 1901-2000 | +3.580 |
| 3701 | 1901-2000 | +3.454 |
| 406 | 1901-2000 | +3.436 |
| 2801 | 1901-2000 | +3.398 |
| 603 | 1901-2000 | +3.260 |
| 1903 | 1901-2000 | +3.258 |
| 2003 | 1901-2000 | +3.241 |
| 3008 | 1901-2000 | +3.217 |
| 2802 | 1901-2000 | +3.165 |
| 1703 | 1901-2000 | +3.139 |
| 1702 | 1901-2000 | +3.040 |
| 2102 | 1901-2000 | +3.015 |
| 205 | 1901-2000 | +3.003 |
| 602 | 1901-2000 | +2.978 |
| 4206 | 1901-2000 | +2.951 |
| 4207 | 1901-2000 | +2.950 |
| 807 | 1901-2000 | +2.948 |
| 806 | 1901-2000 | +2.931 |
| 2004 | 1901-2000 | +2.928 |
| 206 | 1901-2000 | +2.910 |
| 1902 | 1901-2000 | +2.888 |
| 4303 | 1901-2000 | +2.869 |
| 407 | 1901-2000 | +2.865 |
| 2702 | 1901-2000 | +2.863 |
| 601 | 1901-2000 | +2.857 |
| 702 | 1901-2000 | +2.854 |
| 1701 | 1901-2000 | +2.848 |
| 2106 | 1901-2000 | +2.824 |
| 4302 | 1901-2000 | +2.808 |
| 2103 | 1901-2000 | +2.806 |
| 2603 | 1901-2000 | +2.787 |
| 3005 | 1901-2000 | +2.779 |
| 502 | 1901-2000 | +2.771 |
| 3603 | 1901-2000 | +2.756 |
| 2701 | 1901-2000 | +2.742 |
| 701 | 1901-2000 | +2.742 |
| 2007 | 1901-2000 | +2.718 |
| 2907 | 1901-2000 | +2.712 |
| 404 | 1901-2000 | +2.698 |
| 1901 | 1901-2000 | +2.690 |
| 4810 | 1901-2000 | +2.679 |
| 2101 | 1901-2000 | +2.677 |
| 4301 | 1901-2000 | +2.656 |
| 4808 | 1901-2000 | +2.647 |
| 1801 | 1901-2000 | +2.632 |
| 2001 | 1901-2000 | +2.593 |
| 203 | 1901-2000 | +2.581 |
| 805 | 1901-2000 | +2.574 |
| 2010 | 1901-2000 | +2.573 |
| 3007 | 1901-2000 | +2.569 |
| 1806 | 1901-2000 | +2.567 |
| 2906 | 1901-2000 | +2.551 |
| 2006 | 1901-2000 | +2.550 |
| 3201 | 1901-2000 | +2.550 |
| 2406 | 1901-2000 | +2.545 |
| 3507 | 1901-2000 | +2.539 |
| 2002 | 1901-2000 | +2.521 |
| 3202 | 1901-2000 | +2.517 |
| 4703 | 1901-2000 | +2.516 |
| 2403 | 1901-2000 | +2.513 |
| 1802 | 1901-2000 | +2.479 |
| 3303 | 1901-2000 | +2.478 |
| 1804 | 1901-2000 | +2.469 |
| 3602 | 1901-2000 | +2.451 |
| 3203 | 1901-2000 | +2.439 |
| 2105 | 1901-2000 | +2.406 |
| 4706 | 1901-2000 | +2.400 |
| 3601 | 1901-2000 | +2.396 |
| 3505 | 1901-2000 | +2.384 |
| 3204 | 1901-2000 | +2.377 |
| 804 | 1901-2000 | +2.373 |
| 3604 | 1901-2000 | +2.367 |
| 503 | 1901-2000 | +2.363 |
| 1805 | 1901-2000 | +2.352 |
| 2604 | 1901-2000 | +2.350 |
| 204 | 1901-2000 | +2.346 |
| 201 | 1901-2000 | +2.333 |
| 2905 | 1901-2000 | +2.333 |
| 3003 | 1901-2000 | +2.327 |
| 2005 | 1901-2000 | +2.323 |
| 2501 | 1901-2000 | +2.293 |
| 4105 | 1901-2000 | +2.291 |
| 3205 | 1901-2000 | +2.286 |
| 3009 | 1901-2000 | +2.268 |
| 3207 | 1901-2000 | +2.259 |
| 3509 | 1901-2000 | +2.250 |
| 2104 | 1901-2000 | +2.247 |
| 803 | 1901-2000 | +2.239 |
| 1803 | 1901-2000 | +2.236 |
| 504 | 1901-2000 | +2.233 |
| 3503 | 1901-2000 | +2.231 |
| 4204 | 1901-2000 | +2.213 |
| 3506 | 1901-2000 | +2.201 |
| 2009 | 1901-2000 | +2.195 |
| 4701 | 1901-2000 | +2.189 |
| 4404 | 1901-2000 | +2.172 |
| 3905 | 1901-2000 | +2.152 |
| 4205 | 1901-2000 | +2.145 |
| 4806 | 1901-2000 | +2.143 |
| 3901 | 1901-2000 | +2.140 |
| 3610 | 1901-2000 | +2.135 |
| 3208 | 1901-2000 | +2.132 |
| 3206 | 1901-2000 | +2.130 |
| 4202 | 1901-2000 | +2.130 |
| 4804 | 1901-2000 | +2.125 |
| 4510 | 1901-2000 | +2.122 |
| 3508 | 1901-2000 | +2.118 |
| 4705 | 1901-2000 | +2.110 |
| 4803 | 1901-2000 | +2.093 |
| 4807 | 1901-2000 | +2.083 |
| 4702 | 1901-2000 | +2.073 |
| 2008 | 1901-2000 | +2.059 |
| 4809 | 1901-2000 | +2.056 |
| 405 | 1901-2000 | +2.045 |
| 3904 | 1901-2000 | +2.021 |
| 2401 | 1901-2000 | +1.994 |
| 4805 | 1901-2000 | +1.991 |
| 401 | 1901-2000 | +1.986 |
| 403 | 1901-2000 | +1.981 |
| 3209 | 1901-2000 | +1.979 |
| 1007 | 1901-2000 | +1.959 |
| 1203 | 1901-2000 | +1.956 |
| 2407 | 1901-2000 | +1.955 |
| 2402 | 1901-2000 | +1.955 |
| 3908 | 1901-2000 | +1.954 |
| 3301 | 1901-2000 | +1.936 |
| 1008 | 1901-2000 | +1.921 |
| 2908 | 1901-2000 | +1.921 |
| 1003 | 1901-2000 | +1.919 |
| 2601 | 1901-2000 | +1.917 |
| 4201 | 1901-2000 | +1.909 |
| 3501 | 1901-2000 | +1.904 |
| 4704 | 1901-2000 | +1.903 |
| 1004 | 1901-2000 | +1.895 |
| 4203 | 1901-2000 | +1.889 |
| 1002 | 1901-2000 | +1.878 |
| 3002 | 1901-2000 | +1.877 |
| 1201 | 1901-2000 | +1.871 |
| 207 | 1901-2000 | +1.868 |
| 1202 | 1901-2000 | +1.862 |
| 1404 | 1901-2000 | +1.840 |
| 1401 | 1901-2000 | +1.833 |
| 4801 | 1901-2000 | +1.817 |
| 4506 | 1901-2000 | +1.816 |
| 202 | 1901-2000 | +1.811 |
| 3504 | 1901-2000 | +1.806 |
| 3307 | 1901-2000 | +1.805 |
| 1807 | 1901-2000 | +1.801 |
| 2405 | 1901-2000 | +1.789 |
| 1102 | 1901-2000 | +1.783 |
| 4508 | 1901-2000 | +1.778 |
| 1105 | 1901-2000 | +1.776 |
| 3502 | 1901-2000 | +1.756 |
| 3906 | 1901-2000 | +1.755 |
| 402 | 1901-2000 | +1.750 |
| 2404 | 1901-2000 | +1.739 |
| 3903 | 1901-2000 | +1.737 |
| 2109 | 1901-2000 | +1.728 |
| 3010 | 1901-2000 | +1.727 |
| 1104 | 1901-2000 | +1.717 |
| 4708 | 1901-2000 | +1.711 |
| 1001 | 1901-2000 | +1.706 |
| 4101 | 1901-2000 | +1.703 |
| 3308 | 1901-2000 | +1.693 |
| 2901 | 1901-2000 | +1.692 |
| 4505 | 1901-2000 | +1.672 |
| 3907 | 1901-2000 | +1.669 |
| 2903 | 1901-2000 | +1.655 |
| 505 | 1901-2000 | +1.650 |
| 4709 | 1901-2000 | +1.640 |
| 2902 | 1901-2000 | +1.626 |
| 4401 | 1901-2000 | +1.624 |
| 4108 | 1901-2000 | +1.621 |
| 1101 | 1901-2000 | +1.608 |
| 3306 | 1901-2000 | +1.607 |
| 2107 | 1901-2000 | +1.599 |
| 3605 | 1901-2000 | +1.583 |
| 4509 | 1901-2000 | +1.575 |
| 3006 | 1901-2000 | +1.571 |
| 2506 | 1901-2000 | +1.568 |
| 1405 | 1901-2000 | +1.568 |
| 4504 | 1901-2000 | +1.566 |
| 1010 | 1901-2000 | +1.563 |
| 2507 | 1901-2000 | +1.559 |
| 4402 | 1901-2000 | +1.557 |
| 3304 | 1901-2000 | +1.535 |
| 4507 | 1901-2000 | +1.535 |
| 3902 | 1901-2000 | +1.534 |
| 501 | 1901-2000 | +1.528 |
| 2602 | 1901-2000 | +1.520 |
| 2502 | 1901-2000 | +1.488 |
| 3001 | 1901-2000 | +1.483 |
| 4501 | 1901-2000 | +1.480 |
| 4502 | 1901-2000 | +1.471 |
| 802 | 1901-2000 | +1.469 |
| 4403 | 1901-2000 | +1.464 |
| 4606 | 1901-2000 | +1.461 |
| 1009 | 1901-2000 | +1.452 |
| 3909 | 1901-2000 | +1.451 |
| 1407 | 1901-2000 | +1.445 |
| 3606 | 1901-2000 | +1.441 |
| 3103 | 1901-2000 | +1.440 |
| 3608 | 1901-2000 | +1.438 |
| 1301 | 1901-2000 | +1.434 |
| 2904 | 1901-2000 | +1.415 |
| 4503 | 1901-2000 | +1.415 |
| 2108 | 1901-2000 | +1.403 |
| 3302 | 1901-2000 | +1.388 |
| 1005 | 1901-2000 | +1.386 |
| 4802 | 1901-2000 | +1.386 |
| 3102 | 1901-2000 | +1.383 |
| 4107 | 1901-2000 | +1.367 |
| 4602 | 1901-2000 | +1.366 |
| 1006 | 1901-2000 | +1.365 |
| 3305 | 1901-2000 | +1.348 |
| 4109 | 1901-2000 | +1.341 |
| 4707 | 1901-2000 | +1.337 |
| 4405 | 1901-2000 | +1.335 |
| 1206 | 1901-2000 | +1.328 |
| 1402 | 1901-2000 | +1.307 |
| 1107 | 1901-2000 | +1.274 |
| 3108 | 1901-2000 | +1.260 |
| 3107 | 1901-2000 | +1.257 |
| 2509 | 1901-2000 | +1.257 |
| 4601 | 1901-2000 | +1.255 |
| 1304 | 1901-2000 | +1.247 |
| 1302 | 1901-2000 | +1.247 |
| 1808 | 1901-2000 | +1.238 |
| 1204 | 1901-2000 | +1.238 |
| 1406 | 1901-2000 | +1.235 |
| 3310 | 1901-2000 | +1.235 |
| 2503 | 1901-2000 | +1.226 |
| 3106 | 1901-2000 | +1.218 |
| 3807 | 1901-2000 | +1.216 |
| 3105 | 1901-2000 | +1.200 |
| 3104 | 1901-2000 | +1.196 |
| 3404 | 1901-2000 | +1.195 |
| 1403 | 1901-2000 | +1.194 |
| 1408 | 1901-2000 | +1.194 |
| 3802 | 1901-2000 | +1.192 |
| 909 | 1901-2000 | +1.190 |
| 3607 | 1901-2000 | +1.184 |
| 4110 | 1901-2000 | +1.180 |
| 4604 | 1901-2000 | +1.178 |
| 1306 | 1901-2000 | +1.174 |
| 1106 | 1901-2000 | +1.173 |
| 1108 | 1901-2000 | +1.167 |
| 3609 | 1901-2000 | +1.159 |
| 3309 | 1901-2000 | +1.156 |
| 2505 | 1901-2000 | +1.155 |
| 1209 | 1901-2000 | +1.154 |
| 4102 | 1901-2000 | +1.153 |
| 1503 | 1901-2000 | +1.136 |
| 1303 | 1901-2000 | +1.118 |
| 906 | 1901-2000 | +1.108 |
| 3804 | 1901-2000 | +1.099 |
| 1207 | 1901-2000 | +1.093 |
| 2303 | 1901-2000 | +1.065 |
| 3401 | 1901-2000 | +1.058 |
| 2302 | 1901-2000 | +1.043 |
| 2301 | 1901-2000 | +1.023 |
| 1205 | 1901-2000 | +1.012 |
| 2508 | 1901-2000 | +1.007 |
| 3407 | 1901-2000 | +0.997 |
| 3805 | 1901-2000 | +0.980 |
| 3402 | 1901-2000 | +0.973 |
| 4406 | 1901-2000 | +0.946 |
| 3803 | 1901-2000 | +0.942 |
| 905 | 1901-2000 | +0.938 |
| 3801 | 1901-2000 | +0.921 |
| 1609 | 1901-2000 | +0.906 |
| 3806 | 1901-2000 | +0.891 |
| 908 | 1901-2000 | +0.890 |
| 1307 | 1901-2000 | +0.889 |
| 1208 | 1901-2000 | +0.889 |
| 1305 | 1901-2000 | +0.889 |
| 302 | 1901-2000 | +0.878 |
| 4106 | 1901-2000 | +0.873 |
| 1502 | 1901-2000 | +0.865 |
| 1103 | 1901-2000 | +0.849 |
| 1603 | 1901-2000 | +0.848 |
| 907 | 1901-2000 | +0.841 |
| 1109 | 1901-2000 | +0.799 |
| 303 | 1901-2000 | +0.792 |
| 1602 | 1901-2000 | +0.782 |
| 2210 | 1901-2000 | +0.779 |
| 2304 | 1901-2000 | +0.759 |
| 4103 | 1901-2000 | +0.750 |
| 1309 | 1901-2000 | +0.740 |
| 4004 | 1901-2000 | +0.715 |
| 2305 | 1901-2000 | +0.715 |
| 904 | 1901-2000 | +0.710 |
| 1409 | 1901-2000 | +0.697 |
| 3101 | 1901-2000 | +0.697 |
| 4603 | 1901-2000 | +0.683 |
| 4605 | 1901-2000 | +0.675 |
| 903 | 1901-2000 | +0.663 |
| 801 | 1901-2000 | +0.657 |
| 4003 | 1901-2000 | +0.646 |
| 108 | 1901-2000 | +0.643 |
| 1308 | 1901-2000 | +0.640 |
| 1608 | 1901-2000 | +0.636 |
| 4104 | 1901-2000 | +0.633 |
| 309 | 1901-2000 | +0.632 |
| 301 | 1901-2000 | +0.626 |
| 1604 | 1901-2000 | +0.617 |
| 2204 | 1901-2000 | +0.605 |
| 1601 | 1901-2000 | +0.594 |
| 4002 | 1901-2000 | +0.562 |
| 1606 | 1901-2000 | +0.549 |
| 306 | 1901-2000 | +0.515 |
| 304 | 1901-2000 | +0.513 |
| 4001 | 1901-2000 | +0.504 |
| 2306 | 1901-2000 | +0.497 |
| 1501 | 1901-2000 | +0.466 |
| 902 | 1901-2000 | +0.462 |
| 1504 | 1901-2000 | +0.460 |
| 3405 | 1901-2000 | +0.433 |
| 2207 | 1901-2000 | +0.418 |
| 3409 | 1901-2000 | +0.403 |
| 104 | 1901-2000 | +0.391 |
| 3408 | 1901-2000 | +0.358 |
| 2208 | 1901-2000 | +0.353 |
| 102 | 1901-2000 | +0.346 |
| 901 | 1901-2000 | +0.337 |
| 307 | 1901-2000 | +0.330 |
| 2201 | 1901-2000 | +0.329 |
| 3403 | 1901-2000 | +0.328 |
| 305 | 1901-2000 | +0.324 |
| 105 | 1901-2000 | +0.324 |
| 1605 | 1901-2000 | +0.285 |
| 101 | 1901-2000 | +0.275 |
| 2205 | 1901-2000 | +0.245 |
| 2209 | 1901-2000 | +0.213 |
| 1607 | 1901-2000 | +0.175 |
| 106 | 1901-2000 | +0.131 |
| 107 | 1901-2000 | +0.081 |
| 2203 | 1901-2000 | +0.067 |
| 3406 | 1901-2000 | +0.023 |
| 308 | 1901-2000 | +0.015 |
| 2202 | 1901-2000 | +0.009 |
| 2206 | 1901-2000 | -0.031 |
| 103 | 1901-2000 | -0.086 |
| 5001 | 1925-2000 | +4.171 |
| 5003 | 1925-2000 | +3.820 |
| 5002 | 1925-2000 | +3.561 |
| 5007 | 1925-2000 | +3.483 |
| 5004 | 1925-2000 | +2.840 |
| 5008 | 1925-2000 | +2.677 |
| 5006 | 1925-2000 | +2.621 |
| 5005 | 1925-2000 | +2.284 |
| 5009 | 1925-2000 | +2.011 |
| 5013 | 1925-2000 | +1.913 |
| 5012 | 1925-2000 | +1.567 |
| 5011 | 1925-2000 | +1.408 |
| 5010 | 1925-2000 | +0.104 |
Key Points
Since 1901, the average surface temperature across the contiguous 48 states has risen at an average rate of 0.17°F per decade (Figure 1). Average temperatures have risen more quickly since the late 1970s (0.32 to 0.51°F per decade since 1979). For the contiguous United States, nine of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1998, and 2012 and 2016 were the two warmest years on record.
Worldwide, 2023 was the warmest year on record, 2016 was the second-warmest year, and 2014–2023 was the warmest decade on record since thermometer-based observations began. Global average surface temperature has risen at an average rate of 0.17°F per decade since 1901 (Figure 2), similar to the rate of warming within the contiguous United States. Since the late 1970s, however, the United States has warmed faster than the global rate.
Some parts of the United States have experienced more warming than others (Figure 3). The North, the West, and Alaska have seen temperatures increase the most, while some parts of the Southeast have experienced little change. Not all of these regional trends are statistically significant, however.
Background
Temperature is a fundamental measurement for describing the climate, and the temperature in particular places can have wide-ranging effects on human life and ecosystems. For example, increases in air temperature can lead to more intense heat waves (see the Heat Waves indicator), which can cause illness and death, especially in vulnerable populations. Annual and seasonal temperature patterns also determine the types of animals and plants that can survive in particular locations. Changes in temperature can disrupt a wide range of natural processes, particularly if these changes occur more quickly than plant and animal species can adapt.
Concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases are increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere (see the Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases indicator). In response, average temperatures at the Earth’s surface are increasing and are expected to continue rising.1 Because climate change can shift the wind patterns and ocean currents that drive the world’s climate system, some areas are warming more than others, and some have experienced cooling.
About the Indicator
This indicator examines U.S. and global surface temperature patterns over time. U.S. surface measurements come from weather stations on land, while global surface measurements also incorporate observations from buoys and ships on the ocean, thereby providing data from sites spanning much of the surface of the Earth. This indicator starts at 1901 except for the detailed map of Alaska, where reliable statewide records are available back to 1925. For comparison, this indicator also displays satellite measurements that can be used to estimate the temperature of the Earth’s lower atmosphere since 1979.
This indicator shows annual anomalies, or differences, compared with the average temperature from 1901 to 2000. For example, an anomaly of +2.0 degrees means the average temperature was 2 degrees higher than the long-term average. Anomalies have been calculated for each weather station. Daily temperature measurements at each site were used to calculate monthly anomalies, which were then averaged to find an annual temperature anomaly for each year. Anomalies for the contiguous 48 states and Alaska have been determined by calculating average anomalies for areas within each state based on station density, interpolation, and topography. These regional anomalies are then averaged together in proportion to their area to develop national results. Similarly, global anomalies have been determined by dividing the world into a grid, averaging the data for each cell of the grid, and then averaging the grid cells together.
About the Data
Indicator Notes
Data from the early 20th century are somewhat less precise than more recent data because there were fewer stations collecting measurements at the time, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. The overall trends are still reliable, however. Where possible, the data have been adjusted to account for any biases that might be introduced by factors such as station moves, urbanization near the station, changes in measuring instruments, and changes in the exact times at which measurements are taken.
Hawaii and U.S. territories are not included, due to limitations in available data.
Data Sources
The data for this indicator were provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information, which maintains a large collection of climate data online at: www.ncei.noaa.gov. The surface temperature anomalies shown here were calculated based on monthly values from a network of long-term monitoring stations. Satellite data were analyzed by two independent groups—the Global Hydrology and Climate Center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Remote Sensing Systems (RSS)—resulting in slightly different trend lines.
Technical Documentation
References
- Marvel, K., Su, W., Delgado, R., Aarons, S., Chatterjee, A., Garcia, M. E., Hausfather, Z., Hayhoe, K., Hence, D. A., Jewett, E. B., Robel, A., Singh, D., Tripati, A., & Vose, R. S. (2023). Chapter 2: Climate trends. In USGCRP (U.S. Global Change Research Program), Fifth National Climate Assessment. doi.org/10.7930/NCA5.2023.CH2
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). (2024). Climate at a glance. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance