Following the overall pattern of 2012, the new-year began with above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across Delaware.

Posted on Sat 02/23/13 , Updated 04/05/13 Figure 1. Delaware statewide mean annual temperature (°F) 1895-2012. Preliminary data indicates that Delaware saw its warmest year on record during 2012. The mean annual temperature of 58.8 ° F was 3.9 ° F abov …

Preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center indicates that the summer of 2012 was the 3rd warmest across Delaware since records began in 1895.

Preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center indicates that the first six months of 2012 were the warmest and driest January through June period across Delaware since records began in 1895.

Spring (MAM) of 2012 was the warmest across Delaware since records began in 1895.

Preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center indicate that the first four months of 2012 have been the warmest and driest such period since 1895 across Delaware.

Preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center confirm what most Delawareans already knew, that the winter season (DJF) of 2011-12 across Delaware was very warm and somewhat dry.

Preliminary data indicate that 2011 was a very warm and unusually wet year across Delaware. The 2011 mean annual temperature of 58.2 degrees Fahrenheit was 2.5 degrees above the 1981-2010 normal, making it the warmest year since records began in 1895.

The National Weather Service three-month outlook for January, February and March 2012 suggests a high probability of continued warmth and near normal precipitation for Delaware during the remainder of the winter season.

The 2011 hurricane season officially ended on December 1, 2011. The season produced a total of 19 tropical storms. Seven of the 19 storms reached hurricane intensity and three of the seven hurricanes were considered major storms.