US records above-average warmth in April: Report

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Temperature across the contiguous US exceeded typical levels in April, reaching an average of 53.6°F (12°C), surpassing the historical record by 2.6°F, according to climate data released Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The temperatures landed in the top third of NOAA's 131-year history of measurements, with exceptional heat affecting southern regions and Atlantic seaboard areas.

The states of Virginia and North Carolina registered their second-hottest April ever, while Georgia tied for fourth and South Carolina claiming the third position in their respective historical rankings.

The warming pattern persisted throughout early 2025, with January through April averaging 41.1°F nationwide, exceeding normal values by 2.0°F, among the warmest third of comparable periods on record.

Alaska exhibited even more pronounced temperature anomalies, with the year's first four months averaging 17.8°F, a 7.5°F deviation above typical readings, securing the fourth position in the state's all-time rankings. Concurrently, Hawaii matched its second-warmest January-April measurement at 64.8°F.

- Precipitation above average

Rainfall measurements across the contiguous states reached 2.82 inches (71.6 millimeters) in April, surpassing normal levels by 0.30 inches and ranking in the upper third historically.

Nevertheless, below-average precipitation affected Western states through the central Rocky Mountains and portions of the Gulf and Atlantic coastal territories.

Despite April's abundant moisture, the cumulative January-April precipitation remained 0.70 inches below normal expectations, placing it in the bottom third of historical measurements for the timeframe.

Alaska documented its second-wettest April in more than a century of record-keeping, with remarkable snowfall accumulations reaching 36.6 inches in Alyeska and 26.5 inches at Denali National Park.