NEW : Last year 's extreme temperatures will be ` ` the new normal , '' environmentalist says . Lashof 's group is trying to press the Obama administration to tighten limits on carbon emissions , but he said those steps `` are not going to reduce the threat of extreme weather overnight . '' NOAA called it the hottest on record . Every state in the Lower South saw above - average temperatures ; 19 set their own records . Droughts , tropical storms and other disasters made it the second - most extreme year .
NEW : Last year 's extreme temperatures will be ` ` the new normal , '' environmentalist says . NOAA called it the hottest on record . Every state in the Lower South saw above - average temperatures ; 19 set their own records . Droughts , tropical storms and other disasters made it the second - most extreme year .