Erick Burgueño Salas
Research expert covering climate change and the water industry
Weather in the United States - statistics & facts
Due to its geography and large area, the United States hosts many contrasting climate regimes. This means that many types of weather patterns are seen in the U.S., as well as a variety of meteorological phenomena. However, due to a warming climate, changes in weather patterns across the country are already visible, with the number of deaths due to weather extremes in the U.S. reaching in 2021 the highest figure since the century began.
Moreover, the U.S. is no stranger to extreme precipitation patterns; western and central states frequently experience drought conditions, while heavy precipitation affects mainly the south and coastal areas. The West and Gulf coasts in particular experience some of the heaviest rain events, often a result of tropical cyclones or hurricanes. Another phenomenon present in U.S. American weather is the presence of tornados in the Great Plains and Midwest, which can be catastrophically large.
Differences from coast to coast
Temperatures shift considerably between the northern and southern regions in the United States. Although the north does experience warm summers, winters often sustain long periods of cold weather, along with blizzards. Meanwhile, the combination of tropical, arid, and Mediterranean climates in the south of the country brings typically warm temperatures all year round. As such, both heat waves and cold spells can cause disruption across the country, with economic damage due to extreme temperatures adding up to millions of U.S. dollars each year.Moreover, the U.S. is no stranger to extreme precipitation patterns; western and central states frequently experience drought conditions, while heavy precipitation affects mainly the south and coastal areas. The West and Gulf coasts in particular experience some of the heaviest rain events, often a result of tropical cyclones or hurricanes. Another phenomenon present in U.S. American weather is the presence of tornados in the Great Plains and Midwest, which can be catastrophically large.
The rise in temperatures
Mean temperature in the United States has followed an evident upward trend in the past decades, mainly driven by global warming. In 2022, the average temperature in the North American country approached 11.9 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees more than the annual national average reported in 1895. While one or two degrees of difference in one century may not seem a relevant difference, it does gravely affect weather patterns and phenomena. Economic damage due to climate disasters has risen significantly in the past half a century. Between 2020 and 2022 alone, weather and climate-related events caused over 430 billion U.S. dollars’ worth in damages in the United States, more than double the costs reported in the 1980’s.
