A Warm October and Very Warm AUG/SEP/OCT 2023!

Fig. 1: NOAA state temperature rankings for 1895-2023 valid October 2023.

Discussion: Another very warm month was observed in October 2023 ranking 18^th warmest in the 129-year climatology (Fig. 1). The warmest states were New England and the northern Mid-Atlantic region plus Arizona/New Mexico each in the MUCH ABOVE normal category. Only 9 of the 48 contiguous states averaged near normal with warmer than normal elsewhere.

The October 2023 precipitation rankings indicated extremes with MUCH ABOVE normal rainfall in South Dakota and Wisconsin while Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia were MUCH BELOW normal rainfall (Fig. 2). Nationally, the U.S. ranked 57^th driest in the 129-year climatology.

The AUG/SEP/OCT 2023 temperature regime ranked 5^th warmest in the 129-year climatology. New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana observed their hottest AUG/SEP/OCT on record (Fig. 3). Fifteen other states ranked in the MUCH ABOVE normal category for the 3-month period. Regionally, exceptional warmth was observed in the Northwest, Upper Midwest, Northeast, and most of the Gulf States. All states were at least warmer than normal with no states near normal.

The AUG/SEP/OCT 2023 precipitation rankings produced MUCH ABOVE normal rainfall in Nevada, Wyoming, and South Dakota plus Connecticut and Maine (Fig. 4). Mississippi and Louisiana were 2^nd and 3^rd driest on record respectively. Nationally, the U.S. ranked 48^th driest in the 129-year climatology.

Fig. 2: NOAA state precipitation rankings for 1895-2023 valid October 2023.

Fig. 3: NOAA state temperature rankings for 1895-2023 valid AUG/SEP/OCT 2023.

Fig. 4: NOAA state precipitation rankings for 1895-2023 valid AUG/SEP/OCT 2023.