US Southeast Climate – May 2026 Update
Top States: Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
This month in numbers
The US Southeast region experienced a significantly warmer May, with a 1-month temperature anomaly of +0.58°C above the 1961–1990 average. The warming trend is even more pronounced over longer periods, with the 3-month anomaly at +2.29°C and the 12-month rolling anomaly at +1.21°C. Globally, May 2026 ranked as the second-warmest May on record, trailing only 2024.
Hottest & coolest US states
Within the US Southeast, Florida climate page stood out as exceptionally warm, recording a striking +1.77°C anomaly for May. Georgia climate page also experienced above-average temperatures at +0.54°C. Virginia climate page was the coolest state in the region, though still registering a positive anomaly of +0.15°C.
What's driving change?
The current climate pattern is strongly influenced by an emerging El Niño, with the NOAA CPC forecasting a 99% probability of El Niño conditions persisting through the summer and autumn months /climate/enso. El Niño typically brings cooler and wetter winters to the Southeast USA, but its influence during the spring and early summer can be more complex. The region has also been grappling with significant drought conditions, with 100% of the Southeast experiencing at least some level of dryness or drought in April, and over half the region in extreme drought by May. This widespread drought, exacerbated by the effect, has likely contributed to the warmer temperatures by limiting evaporative cooling from soils. Severe weather, including flash floods and strong thunderstorms, also impacted parts of the Southeast in May.
Looking ahead
The strong El Niño forecast for the coming months suggests a potential shift towards cooler and wetter conditions for the US Southeast during the upcoming winter season.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
Climate Map – USA
Source: NOAA Climate at a Glance — US states & climate regions (tavg, pcp). Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) or 1991–2020 (rainfall). See methodology.
Temperature – Average
The 4byo Climate Helix – US Southeast
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
US Southeast – Monthly Temperature – All Years
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
Records – US Southeast
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg / pcp (monthly absolutes).
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsHow spring and autumn have shifted in US Southeast. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (16.8°C, from 1950–1979); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 18.7°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Feb (+3.2°C).
NOAA Climate at a Glance — regional tavg. Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Member States (6)
Hottest & Coolest in US Southeast this Month
1-month anomaly vs 1961–1990 across the 6 members we cover. Click a name to open its profile.
Warmest
- 1.🌴Florida+1.77°C
- 2.🇺🇸Georgia+0.54°C
- 3.🇺🇸North Carolina+0.33°C
- 4.🇺🇸South Carolina+0.32°C
- 5.🇺🇸Alabama+0.20°C
Coolest
- 1.🇺🇸Virginia+0.15°C
- 2.🇺🇸Alabama+0.20°C
- 3.🇺🇸South Carolina+0.32°C
- 4.🇺🇸North Carolina+0.33°C
- 5.🇺🇸Georgia+0.54°C
Climate Systems
Loading ENSO tracker…
Data Sources
- NOAA Climate at a Glance — Regional time series · NOAA code 104 · Open at NOAA
- Two-baseline model — comparison baseline 1961–1990; native baseline 1901–2000. Methodology →
Data Sources
Data Sources for US Southeast
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in US Southeast changing?
US Southeast is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for US Southeast come from?
Climate data for US Southeast comes from authoritative climate datasets including national meteorological services and peer-reviewed reanalyses, refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the US Southeast climate data cover?
The US Southeast climate profile covers Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and surrounding areas. NOAA Southeast - AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, VA
How often is the US Southeast climate update refreshed?
The US Southeast climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.