Warm December 2006

Much of December has been mild across North Carolina. In the Triangle, we are on track for 2006 to rank in the top 5 warmest Decembers on record. According to information from the National Weather Service, the monthly average temperature so far this December for Raleigh-Durham is 47.9F.

For comparison, here's a look at the five warmest monthly average temperatures for December at RDU since 1944:

1. 1956 -- 51.0F
2. 1971 -- 50.3F
3. 1984 -- 49.7F
4. 1990 -- 48.1F
5. 1982 -- 47.5F

The December "heat wave" has set at least one record this year. The high of 71 on December 17th broke the old record of 70 set in 2001. The warmest temperature of the month was 76 on December 18th, but that high did not break a record for the date.

While 2006 could go down as one of the five warmest Decembers, we have experienced a few cold nights and mornings. A record low was tied on December 9th when the temperature dropped to 16.