United States has warmest spring on record.

NOAA scientists have announced that this spring is the warmest on record for the US, with an average temperature during May more than a degree above the long term average, making it the second warmest May on record.

The last 12 month period and the year to date are also the warmest on record. The data was released from the National Climatic Data Centre in order to provide governments, business and communities up to date and accurate information on the climate.

On a regional scale, all regions of the country experienced warmer than average temperatures, with the exception of the north western states. Precipitation across the period was varied, with a national total a little below average.

The southern US has experienced an extended warm period over the past decade with many periods of drought conditions; it has lead to numerous wildfires and dried out reservoirs. The concern is that this is a long term trend because of climate change, rather than a short term blip. Indeed, the expected change in the North American climate is for drier, warmer weather as a result of changes in the El-Nino Southern Oscillation.