How the Month of October Ranks

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the State of the Climate Reports to include October, 2015. The summary ranks precipitation and temperature to the period from 1895 to 2015.

The National average temperatures ranked 118 highest, much above the average for the month. The average temperature during October was 57.4 degrees, 3.3 degree above average, the fourth warmest October on record.

Breaking down the average temperature by state shows the western half of the U.S. experienced some of the warmest temperatures in over a century. Washington state had the highest average temperature on record for the month of October. California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming were close behind. A record-breaking heatwave hit the Northern Plains the second week in October. Most of the east coast was near average.

The National precipitation ranked 102 highest, above average for the month. October U.S. precipitation was 2.75 inches, .59 inches above average.

The statewide precipitation ranking shows the southwest had “much above average” precipitation for the month after a series of storms brought flooding. South Carolina’s ranking showed one of the wettest Octobers on record, after the flooding earlier in the month. States like Oregon, Missouri, Illinois and Florida had some of the lowest precipitation ranking for the month of October.

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Monica Cryan