The U.S. has experienced the warmest 12-month period since recordkeeping began in 1895, according to the newest monthly "State of the Climate" report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The NOAA reports that in the period from May 2011 to April 2012 the nationally-averaged temperature 2.8°F above the 1901-2000 long-term average.
The first four months of the year were 5.4°F above the long-term average, also the warmest such period since recordkeeping began.
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IMAGE: 300 locations in US had a daily warm temperature that was warmest on record for April: bit.ly/JdAhJM #NOAA #NCDC
— NOAA Communications (@NOAAComms) May 8, 2012