Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

Severe thunderstorms are expected across the Central Plains accompanied by damaging wind gusts and large hail. In addition, heavy rainfall may lead to instances of flash flooding from the Plains and mid-Atlantic regions. The heavy rainfall threat continues across Florida and across the northern Gulf as we monitor a tropical disturbance tracking westward. Critical fire weather for the Great Basin. Read More >

Overview and Graphics
Seasonal Summary
Lack of Mild Temperatures

Overview and Graphics

Fall Seasonal Summary (September 1st through November 30th): Temperatures averaged near normal for the fall season, BUT it was FAR from normal! September into the first 10 days of October were a continuation of summer, with many record highs being established. It was the warmest start to October on record with highs well into the 80s and lower 90s. We flipped the switch abruptly in mid October, and for the most part, the rest of the fall season experienced below normal temperatures. We had a stretch of near record cold temperatures in the middle of October and several more stretches in November. Our typical highs in the 60s and 70s just weren’t there this year; we experience about 43 to 44 days like this in a typical fall season. This year, we only experienced 31 days with high temperatures in the 60s or 70s in Paducah, 30 days in Cape Girardeau, and 28 days in Evansville. There have only been 1 or 2 other fall seasons on record to have fewer such “comfortable” days.

The majority of the region experienced a wetter than normal fall. The exception was portions of the Missouri Ozark Foothills that were slightly drier than normal, especially portions of Carter and Ripley Counties. Most locations east of the Mississippi River finished 2 to 6 inches above the seasonal normal, with a few locations even wetter than that. Most of our region doesn’t typically experience measurable snow in the fall season, but it happened this year with a system spreading wintry precipitation across the region November 14th and 15th.

Fall 2018 Review: Precipitation and Temperature Maps (CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE)

Climate Maps are from the Northeast Regional Climate Center

Seasonal Summary Listings of normals and records for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau

Seasonal Climate Report: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau

Lack of Mild Temperatures Here is a look at the number of days in which high temperatures were in the 60s or 70s for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau during each fall season. Notice the abnormally low number that occurred this year for each location! Paducah only experienced 31 days, Evansville had 28 days, and Cape Girardeau 30 days, this fall season. Listings of normals and records for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau

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Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

Fall 2018 Climate Summary