A wetter-than-average March moderated drought in parts of the Central Plains, but severe to exceptional drought remained widespread in the West.

February 2021 was the United States' coldest February in 30 years, but the winter overall was warmer than average. Much of the West remained in some level of drought.

Polar vortex expert Amy Butler and Arctic expert James Overland offer perspectives on the February cold snap in the southern U.S., the polar vortex, and how the Arctic might influence mid-latitude weather.

Much of North America was warm and dry in January 2021, while Europe and parts of Russia were cool and wet.

Nationwide warmth was accompanied by extreme precipitation differences: dry conditions in the West and wet conditions in much of the East. 

The contiguous United States was warmer than average virtually coast to coast in November 2020, and much of the country was also drier than average.

The 15^th installment of NOAA's Arctic Report Card NOAA’s 15th Arctic Report Card catalogs the numerous ways that climate change continues to disrupt the polar region.