October 2022 Climate Summary

Overview and Graphics
Monthly Summary
Records

Overview and Graphics

Temperatures averaged below normal by 1 to 1.5 degrees. The first 10 days of the month featured unusually wide diurnal ranges with 35 to 45 degree jumps from lows to highs. This was due to the ongoing drought and abnormally dry airmass over the region. A few other days during the month observed wide swings as well. On October 20th, Cape Girardeau had a 48 degree rise from a low of 22 to a high of 70. This was their 3rd largest one day temperature swing on record, dating back to 1960. The average daily range for the month was 28-32 degrees across the region, which was 4 to 8 degrees above normal for October. This led to high temperatures averaging 1 to 2 degrees above normal while lows were 3 to 5 degrees below normal. The warmest stretch compared to normal occurred from October 22-24, when highs reached the upper 70s to lower 80s and lows only dropped into the upper 50s to lower 60s. The coldest stretch of the month was from October 17-20 when highs were only in the 50s most days and lows fell into the 20s for many locations. Cape Girardeau set a new all-time record for coldest temperature in the month of October on the morning of October 20th when temperatures bottomed out at 22 degrees!

It was another drier than normal month for the region. The drought situation worsened with severe to extreme drought taking hold of much of the area by later in the month. Rainfall amounts were only around 1 to 2 inches for the month which was 2 to 3 inches below normal for October. It was on pace to be one of our driest October’s on record, until we finally received some rain on October 25 and 29-31.

The graphic below is an interpolated monthly rainfall map using actual observations. Please note that there are likely discrepancies in between observations, since the values are estimated based on nearest reports.

Map of monthly precipitation totals

October 2022 Review: Precipitation and Temperature Maps (Click on image to enlarge)

Climate Maps are from the Northeast Regional Climate Center

Monthly Summary Monthly climate statistics for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau

Monthly climate statistics for Poplar Bluff and Carbondale

Monthly Climate Report: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau | Poplar Bluff | Carbondale

Records Listing of records for PAH, EVV, CGI, POF, MDH.

Record Event Reports: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau | Poplar Bluff | Carbondale