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.
Temperature and Precipitation Measurements
Temperature and precipitation data are collected from weather stations, weather radar, satellites, and computer models.
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.
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.
CPC Temperature Outlooks
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.
Probability of Below-Normal Temperature
Probability of Above-Normal Temperature
CPC Precipitation Outlooks
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.
Probability of Below-Normal Precipitation
Probability of Above-Normal Precipitation
National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) provides current and archived precipitation analysis at different timescales.
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.
NCEI provides and variety of temperature and precipitation products available at the National and Global scale.
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.
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
The Regional Climate Centers (RCC) Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) offers interactive temperature and precipitation charts with single- or multi-station capabilities.