On January 10, this post indicated some possible issues with 2009 all-time, statewide maximum and minimum temperature records in the U.S.: 2009 Preliminary All-Time Statewide Monthly Temperature Records.
I have been in contact with people at NOAA who have been very responsive about this and they are taking a look at the reporting system for what might be behind the apparent problems. Dr. Roger Pielke, Sr., among several others, has been helpful in facilitating this effort through his personal contacts and previous position as president of the American Association of State Climatologists.One issue has already jumped out and that is not all of the recognized statewide records may have occurred at NOAA system stations. This was the case for the January 2009 all-time minimum record for Maine.
There will be a new reporting site for all-time records... possibly in a few weeks. It is possible that previously reported records may change. If that is the case, we hope to have the reasons behind the changes and the methods used to make any changes.
This is a large effort and NOAA should be commended for their willingness to retrace any steps in the record that were faulty.
UPDATE: After NOAA reran their data, the NOAA/NCDC database now shows the number of records for the first quarter 2009 that would be expected. The update does not change the all-time statewide monthly records, nor does it include the January 2009 all-time minimum record from Maine which should be included in a new reporting site.