Much of U.S. Turning Scary Dry First half of October Especially Great Plains

Charts of the day: Great Plains are drying out.

Discussion: The Great Plains soil moisture conditions are dry to very dry and the first half of October forecasts offer no rainfall.

Medium-range 6-10 Day Forecast Valid October 6-10, 2024 (24-hour change)

Discussion: Record warm temperatures are projected across the Interior West and Southwest States and possibly the Western Great Plains.

Medium-range 11-15 Day Forecast Valid October 11-15, 2024 (24-hour change)

Discussion: Turning cooler on the East Coast while the western warmth budges eastward causing a much warmer forecast in the Central U.S.

U.S. Medium-range Precipitation Forecast

Discussion: Nationally, the U.S. medium range precipitation forecast is arid. The exception is Florida where tropical systems may bring heavy rain throughout the period.

Days 16-20 Extended range Temperature Forecast valid October 16-20, 2024

Discussion: A locked-in part maintains warmth across the western half of the U.S. while the East/Southeast is cool. Nationally, the pattern is very dry.