Maps & Data

Was the month drier or wetter than usual? Colors show what percent of its average precipitation a location received in a specific month. White and very light areas had monthly precipitation totals close to the long-term average. Brown areas were drier than average for that month, and blue-green areas were wetter than average for that month.

How has Antarctic winter sea ice changed from year to year? This collection includes monthly maps for sea ice concentration during the month of the Antarctic winter maximum extent—typically September, rarely October—dating back to the start of the satellite record in 1979. Over that time period, Antarctic sea ice has exhibited an essentially flat trend with substantial year-to-year variability. Beginning in 2016, Antarctic sea ice experienced below-average extents, but as of 2025, determining whether these extents indicate the beginning of an overall downward trend will require at least several more years of observations.

How has Antarctic summer sea ice changed from year to year? This collection includes monthly maps for sea ice concentration during the month of the Antarctic summer minimum extent—typically February—dating back to the start of the satellite record in 1979. Over that time period, Antarctic sea ice has exhibited an essentially flat trend with substantial year-to-year variability. Beginning in 2016, Antarctic sea ice experienced below-average extents, but as of 2025, determining whether these extents indicate the beginning of an overall downward trend will require at least several more years of observations.

How has Arctic winter sea ice changed from year to year? This collection includes monthly maps showing sea ice concentration during the month of the Arctic winter maximum extent—typically March, but occasionally February—dating back to the start of the satellite record in 1979. Arctic sea ice has shown a clear decline since then. The greatest rate of decline occurred prior to the year 2007, but the overall trend remains one of decline, and extents have remained low since 2007. Arctic sea ice has declined in all months of the year, although winter declines have been smaller than summer declines.

How has Arctic summer sea ice changed from year to year? This collection includes monthly maps showing sea ice concentration during the month of the Arctic summer minimum extent, dating back to the start of the satellite record in 1979. Arctic sea ice has shown a clear decline since then. The greatest rate of decline occurred prior to the year 2007, but the overall trend remains one of decline, and extents have remained low since 2007. Arctic sea ice has declined in all months of the year, with the greatest rate of decline occurring in September, the typical month of the Arctic summer minimum.

How are conditions related to drought likely to change? Colors on each map show experts' estimates of how conditions related to drought are likely to change by the end of the next three months. Areas where experts expect below-average precipitation or above-average temperatures (which increase evaporation) may see drought develop, persist, or worsen. Areas with forecasts for above-average precipitation may see drought conditions improve or end.

How cool does it usually get overnight during this month? Based on daily observations from 1991-2020, colors on the map show the long-term average minimum temperature, sometimes referred to as “the overnight low,” in 5x5 km grid cells for the month displayed. The map reveals the average of overnight low temperatures during the month over the previous three decades.

What is the long-term average temperature for this month? Based on daily observations from 1991-2020, colors on the map show the long-term average mean temperature in 5x5 km grid cells for the month displayed. The maps show mean temperatures—the arithmetic average between the highest and lowest temperature in a 24-hour period—averaged together over the month for the previous three decades.

How warm do afternoons usually get during this month? Based on daily observations from 1991-2020, colors on the map show the long-term average maximum temperature, sometimes referred to as the daytime or afternoon high, in 5x5 km grid cells for the month displayed. The map reveals the average of daytime high temperatures during the month over the previous three decades.

How much rain and snow usually fall this month? Based on daily observations from 1991-2020, colors on the map show long-term average precipitation totals in 5x5 km grid cells for the month displayed. The darker the color, the higher the total precipitation.