US seared during hottest year on record by far Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 5:59 pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2013 A brutal combination of a widespread drought and a mostly absent winter pushed the average annual U.S. temperature last year up to 55.32 degrees Fahrenheit, the government announced Tuesday. Scientists say the U.S. heat is part global warming in action and natural weather variations. The drought that struck almost ... Read More