A committee of people dedicated to verifying extreme weather records, known as the National Climate Extremes Committee (NCEC), are responsible for the list you will see below. These weather records were established by a recommendation from the NCEC to NOAA. Established in 1997, the team is responsible for only national weather extremes. While the media will often quote local weather extremes, these are not included in the data. Instead, other teams, like local National Weather Service offices or the National Climatic Data Center will investigate or verify these claims.
1. Highest Air Pressure
The record for the highest air pressure happened in Northway, Arkansas on January 31, 1989. The pressure was reported and verified to be 31.85 inches of mercury or 1078.6 millibars.
2. Lowest Air Pressure
The lowest air pressure was in Matecumbe Key, FLorida on September 2, 1935. The air pressure was reported as 26.35 inches of mercury or 892.3 millibars.
3. Highest Temperature
The temperature in Greenland Ranch, California soared to 134° Fahrenheit (56.7°C) on July 10, 1913. This is very near the world record temperature set in Africa.
4. Lowest Temperature
In Prospect Creek, Alaska, temperatures reached a US record low of -80°F (-62.2° Celsius) on January 23, 1971.
5. Strongest Wind Gust
Wind speeds at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire reached 231 mph (372 kph) on April 12, 1934.
6. Largest Diameter Hail
A hailstone in Vivian, South Dakota was measured to be 8 inches across on July 23, 2010.
7. Heaviest Hailstone
The storm in Vivian, South Dakota that brought the largest diameter hailstone also brought about the heaviest hailstone (the same one). This chunk of ice weighed in at 1.938 pounds (0.879 kg).
8. Largest Circumference Hail
A hailstone in Aurora, Nebraska measured a whopping 18.75 inches in circumference on June 22, 2003.
9. Most Annual Rainfall
Kukui, Hawaii had a wet year in 1982 when the record for maximum annual rainfall was set. It rained a total of 704.83 inches that year.
10. Most Rain in One Day
Alvin, Texas was the site of the maximum 24-hour rainfall record set in 1979. Between July 25th and 26th, it rained a total of 43 inches.