|
Climate Averages Lookup
This Lookup displays the monthly average temperatures, plus the rain amount and altitudes for every ZIP in the U.S.
Description:
Use this Lookup to find the high, low, and average temperatures, the amount of rain, and the cooling and heating degree days for every ZIP Code in the U.S. by month and by day. Also get the nearest weather station location and altitude.
Instructions:
-
Enter a 5-digit ZIP Code to view a collective report for all 12 months.
-
Select the month to view the report for each day.
User Tips:
If you do not know the ZIP Code for the area you want to view, use the ZIP Code Lookup and enter the city or try ZIP Codes by County and start your search by state.
For HDD (Heating Degrees Days) and CDD (Cooling Degree Days) see below.
Data Source:
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The average is based on the 30-year period from 1971 to 2000
The normal maximum, minimum, and mean temperature (degrees F), heating and cooling degree days (base 65 degrees F), and precipitation (inches) is averaged from the years for 1971 to 2000 from selected cooperative and First-Order stations.
The daily normals are derived by statistically fitting smooth curves through monthly values; daily data were not used to compute daily normals. As a result, the values reflect smooth transitions between seasons. The typical daily random patterns usually associated with precipitation are not exhibited.
The average value of a meteorological element over 30 years is defined as a climatological normal. The normal climate helps in describing the climate and is used as a base to which current conditions can be compared.
Climate is an important factor in agriculture, commerce, industry, and transportation. It affects many human activities such as farming, fuel consumption, structural design, building site location, trade, analysis of market fluctuations, and the utilization of other natural resources. The influence of climate on our lives is endless. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) has a responsibility to fulfill the mandate of Congress "... to establish and record the climatic conditions of the United States." This responsibility stems from a provision of the Organic Act of October 1, 1890, which established the Weather Bureau as a civilian agency (15 U.S.C. 311).
The mandate to describe the climate was combined with guidelines established through international agreement. The United Nation's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) requires the calculation of normals every 30 years, with the latest covering the 1961-1990 period. However, many WMO members, including the United States, update their normals at the completion of each decade.
Heating Degree Days relate a day's temperatures to the demand for fuel to heat a building. When the temperature is above 65 degrees, there are no heating degree days. If the temperature is less than 65, subtract it from 65 to find the number of heating degree days.
Cooling Degree Days are also based on the temperature minus 65. It relates the temperature to the energy demands of air conditioning.
Heating and cooling degree days can be used to estimate how much is spent on heating or air conditioning in different parts of the country.
|