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Temperature & Precipitation

Air temperature and precipitation can have wide-ranging effects on natural processes, and their datasets are foundational for drought and climate analysis. Changes in temperature and precipitation can substantially disrupt crops and livestock, influence the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, and affect the quality and quantity of water available for municipal and industrial use. 

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    • Temperature and Precipitation Measurements

    Temperature and precipitation data are collected from weather stations, weather radar, satellites, and computer models.

    A thermometer showing high heat.

    Warmer air temperatures increase evapotranspiration—which is the combination of evaporation from the soil and bodies of water and transpiration from plants—and lower soil moisture.

    A full rain gauge.

    Drought is defined as the lack of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually for a season or more, that results in a water shortage.

    Data, Maps, and Tools

    To make data easier to use, many organizations derive products from raw data. These derived products may start with station data, which estimate (or interpolate) the information between stations using different methodologies. Radar- and satellite-based products may include station data as “ground truth” to remove bias and create more accurate products.

    Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks

    CPC Temperature Outlooks

    6–10 Day One Month Three Month
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    100% - 90% #1c1342
    90% - 80% #221852
    80% - 70% #2f406f
    70% - 60% #005ca1
    60% - 50% #389fdb
    50% - 40% #77b5e2
    40% - 33% #a0c0df
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #e7b168
    40% - 50% #e38b4a
    50% - 60% #dc562f
    60% - 70% #c72e28
    70% - 80% #cc3047
    80% - 90% #8a2f38
    90% - 100% #622228
    Value Map Hex Color
    Near-Normal Conditions #a2a2a2
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #a0c0df
    40% - 50% #77b5e2
    50% - 60% #389fdb
    60% - 70% #005ca1
    70% - 80% #2f406f
    80% - 90% #221852
    90% - 100% #1c1342
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #e7b168
    40% - 50% #e38b4a
    50% - 60% #dc562f
    60% - 70% #c72e28
    70% - 80% #cc3047
    80% - 90% #8a2f38
    90% - 100% #622228
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #a0c0df
    40% - 50% #77b5e2
    50% - 60% #389fdb
    60% - 70% #005ca1
    70% - 80% #2f406f
    80% - 90% #221852
    90% - 100% #1c1342
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Temperature
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #e7b168
    40% - 50% #e38b4a
    50% - 60% #dc562f
    60% - 70% #c72e28
    70% - 80% #cc3047
    80% - 90% #8a2f38
    90% - 100% #622228

    The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) produces temperature outlooks for the U.S., including 6–10 day, 8–14 day, monthly, and seasonal outlooks. The outlooks depict whether there is a greater chance for above-normal, below-normal, or near-normal conditions during the noted time frame. Learn more.

    Source(s):

    CPC
    Source(s):

    CPC
    Source(s):

    CPC
    Updates Daily  -  03/31/23
    Updates Monthly  -  03/16/23
    Updates Monthly  -  03/16/23

    CPC Precipitation Outlooks

    6–10 Day One Month Three Month
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    100% - 90% #4f2f2f
    90% - 80% #804000
    80% - 70% #934639
    70% - 60% #9b5031
    60% - 50% #bb6d33
    50% - 40% #d8a750
    40% - 33% #f0d493
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #b3d9ab
    40% - 50% #94cd7e
    50% - 60% #48ae38
    60% - 70% #3a7b5f
    70% - 80% #008e40
    80% - 90% #28553d
    90% - 100% #285517
    Value Map Hex Color
    Near-Normal Conditions #a2a2a2
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #f0d493
    40% - 50% #d8a750
    50% - 60% #bb6d33
    60% - 70% #9b5031
    70% - 80% #934639
    80% - 90% #804000
    90% - 100% #4f2f2f
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #b3d9ab
    40% - 50% #94cd7e
    50% - 60% #48ae38
    60% - 70% #3a7b5f
    70% - 80% #008e40
    80% - 90% #28553d
    90% - 100% #285517
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Below-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #f0d493
    40% - 50% #d8a750
    50% - 60% #bb6d33
    60% - 70% #9b5031
    70% - 80% #934639
    80% - 90% #804000
    90% - 100% #4f2f2f
    Probability (Percent Chance) of Above-Normal Precipitation
    Range Map Hex Color
    33% - 40% #b3d9ab
    40% - 50% #94cd7e
    50% - 60% #48ae38
    60% - 70% #3a7b5f
    70% - 80% #008e40
    80% - 90% #28553d
    90% - 100% #285517

    The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) produces precipitation outlooks for the U.S., including 6–10 day, 8–14 day, monthly, and seasonal outlooks. The outlooks depict whether there is a greater chance for above-normal, below-normal, or near-normal conditions during the noted time frame. Learn more.

    Source(s):

    CPC
    Source(s):

    CPC
    Source(s):

    CPC
    Updates Daily  -  03/31/23
    Updates Monthly  -  03/16/23
    Updates Monthly  -  03/16/23
    Learn more about these data
    Download screenshot of this panel

    Data and Map Gallery

    Access current, historical, and forecasted precipitation and temperature datasets and maps.

    Example map of the U.S. showing quantitative precipitation estimates from AHPS

    Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Precipitation Analysis

    National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) provides current and archived precipitation analysis at different timescales.

    Period of Record
    2005 - Present
    File Format
    images
    shapefile
    netcdf-4
    Example PDSI map in Climate Engine

    Climate Engine

    Climate Engine allows users to analyze and interact with climate and earth observations for decision support related to drought, water use, agricultural, wildfire, and ecology.

    Period of Record
    Current Conditions, Historical data (period of record varies)
    File Format
    images
    pdf
    csv
    Example statewide maximum temperature rank map

    NCEI Temperature and Precipitation Products

    NCEI provides a variety of temperature and precipitation products available at the National and Global scale.

    Period of Record
    Current Conditions, Historical data (period of record varies)
    File Format
    images
    text (ascii)
    csv
    json
    xml
    netcdf-4
    Example precipitation map from HPRCC

    Climate Maps and Data from HPRCC

    HPRCC produces daily climate maps using data from the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS). The maps and data can be accessed and downloaded from the HPRCC website.

     

     

    Period of Record
    2003 - Present
    File Format
    images
    pdf
    8-14 day temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center

    Climate Prediction Center Outlooks

    National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) generates outlooks that view probabilities of above- or below-normal temperature and precipitation maps at the 6-10 Day, 8-14 Day, Wee

    Period of Record
    Forecasts
    File Format
    images
    ACIS graph of daily temperature data

    Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) - Temperature and Precipitation

    The Regional Climate Centers (RCC) Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) offers interactive temperature and precipitation charts with single- or multi-station capabilities.

    Period of Record
    Current Conditions, Historical data (period of record varies)
    File Format
    images
    pdf
    View More Data & Maps
    Rain gauge for water measurement in a field at sunset

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    Flash drought intensifies rapidly due to changes in precipitation, temperature, wind, and radiation. Find more information about flash drought on this Research & Learn page.

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    Drought monitoring at the national, regional, and local levels is an integral part of drought early warning, planning, and mitigation. Learn more about drought monitoring here.

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    Temperature & Precipitation Research and Resources