For a small area of northwest Oregon, western Washington, and northern Idaho, drought conditions improved with removal of drought for these locations. Autumn was wetter and warmer than normal for most of the Southern Region. The combination of heavy rain, melting snow, and wet antecedent conditions led to flooding in central/eastern New York, the eastern half of Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Ten states across the Southwest, Southeast and East Coast had their second-warmest year on record. In western areas of the region, drought conditions deteriorated rapidly and caused numerous impacts to agriculture and water resources. There were five fatalities and 65 injuries associated with this tornado, many of which occurred in the hardest hit areas just south of Estill, SC. For several other locations in the Northeast, the storms daily or two-day snow total ranked among the ten greatest for December or any month on record. Hurricane Zeta made landfall near Cocodrie, LA on October 28th, with a wind gust of 91 mph (41 m/s) reported in Mobile, AL. Non-thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph (18 to 27 m/s) were common, with some of the highest wind gusts reaching 82 mph (37 m/s) near Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey; 80 mph (36 m/s) in Milton, Massachusetts; 79 mph (35 m/s) in Dewey Beach and Indian Beach, Delaware; and 75 mph (34 m/s) in Moosic, Pennsylvania. Record dryness (dating back to 1949) was also observed in Tucson, Arizona with 4.17 in (105.92 mm, 36% of normal) falling throughout the year. Even in these areas, the wetness became a memory as drought developed and expanded in the late summer, fall, and early winter. The global land-only surface temperature was the eighth highest on record at +1.40C (+2.52F). Overall, Earth's average temperature has risen more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1880s. From April 19th through the 20th, a line of thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall across central portions of Alabama and Georgia, with 24-hour precipitation totals exceeding 5 inches and numerous reports of localized flooding. If you have further questions or comments about the GHCN data or the Climate Data Online interface, you can send an email to NOAA NCEI at ncei.orders@noaa.gov or call them at 1-828-271-4800. The path taken by the storm system was one of the furthest to the west and north in history. Five Category 4 and 5 storms formed in the Atlantic during 2020, tying with 1933, 1961, 1999 and 2005 for the record. In the HadUK-Grid observational dataset that goes back to 1884, all of the Top 10 warmest years for the UK have occurred since 2002. Despite slightly above normal snowpack in the Colorado River Basin, April-July inflows into Lake Powell were only 52% of normal due a combination of above normal temperatures and evaporative demand and a lack of any substantial early summer monsoonal rainfall. The statewide average annual temperatures are as follows: Arkansas - 61.15 degrees F (16.19 degrees C), Louisiana 68.18 degrees F (20.10 degrees C), Mississippi 65.31 degrees F (18.51 degrees C), Oklahoma 60.70 degrees F (15.94 degrees C), Tennessee - 59.34 degrees F (15.19 degrees C), and Texas 66.81 degrees F (19.34 degrees C). In early May, Binghamton, New York; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Kennedy Airport, New York; and LaGuardia Airport, New York recorded their coldest May temperature on record. The winds caused water levels to rise significantly along Lake Eries eastern shoreline, resulting in flooding near Erie, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York. Climate Extremes Index (CEI) Climatological Rankings Citing This Report From the beginning of January through mid-March, a pocket of moderate-to-severe drought persisted along the eastern half of the Florida Panhandle. Unfortunately, in early June the total area experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions began to increase. While agricultural and livestock production was satisfactory across much of the Southeast during the year, exceptional wetness and numerous landfalling tropical cyclones did produce some significant impacts. Meanwhile, Bismarck, ND had its second wettest year in 2019, followed by its third driest in 2020 (period of record 1874-2021). At least five of these stations were located in every state, including many of the major cities within the region. January was warmer and wetter than normal across all six states, with Texas experiencing its tenth-warmest January on record while Oklahoma experienced its sixth-wettest January on record. January-May 2021 Blended Land and Sea Surface Temperature Percentiles Regionally, Africa's year-to-date temperature was 1.28C (2.30F) above average and the third highest for the January-May period on record. Flash flooding was reported from Delaware to New York, resulting in road closures and water rescues. Low reservoir levels and streamflows were contributing factors to the widespread drought intensification in 2020 throughout the West. Most of the islands saw below normal precipitation with the exception of Kauai and some of southern Hawaii. Maple syrup production was slowed in Connecticut, with one producer expecting to lose around $60,000 in revenue. The greatest totals of over 12 inches (30 cm) were reported in northwestern Pennsylvania, with a location in Erie County picking up 22.5 inches (57.2 cm). Lower than usual streamflow on the Hudson River in New York in October led to increased sodium levels in Poughkeepsies water supply. The coldest temperature observed during winter 2019-20 in Washington, D.C., was 22 degrees F (-6 degrees C) and at Dulles Airport was 15 degrees F (-9 degrees C), which were the warmest minimum temperatures for winter on record. On the 9th, Fort Lauderdale, FL observed its third wettest November day on record, with 7.30 inches (185 mm) of precipitation. The 2020 fire season was very active and ramped up in mid-summer and extended well into autumn. Peaking in intensity in early July, moderate-to-severe drought conditions covered over half of the island. Red indicates places that were warmer than average, and blue indicates places that were colder than average. 2020 also marks the sixth consecutive year (2015-20) in which 10 or more separate billion-dollar disaster events have impacted the U.S. Binghamton also tied its lowest maximum temperature for May with a high of 35 degrees F (2 degrees C). The nationally averaged maximum temperature (daytime highs) was above average for 2020 at 66.3F, 2.3F above average, ranking as sixth warmest in the 126-year record. The day, twilights (civil, nautical, and astronomical), and night are indicated by the color . There were at least 60 injuries and 4 deaths attributed to the storm system. The last time New York and New England experienced drought conditions was in the summer/fall of 2018. From July 19th through the 22nd, Norfolk, VA observed its longest streak of 4 consecutive days with a maximum temperature of at least 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C). This ranked as the 37th wettest in history since 1895. Above-average temperatures were also seen in portions of Bristol Bay, Central Interior and Northeast Interior regions. Meanwhile, parts of northwestern Alaska, the Aleutians and the central Gulf regions received below-average precipitation for the year. For instance, in February 2023, the average temperature across the North American. Providence, Rhode Island, picked up 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) of snow on October 30, tying as the sites snowiest October day on record. The statewide temperature rankings for 2020 were as follows: Arkansas (thirty-eighth warmest), Louisiana (ninth warmest), Mississippi (tenth warmest), Oklahoma (twenty-eighth warmest), Tennessee (thirteenth warmest), and Texas (seventh warmest). NOAA Climate.gov maps from our Data Snapshots collection, based on data from NCEI. The precursor disturbance to Tropical Storm Bertha caused a significant multi-day rainfall event across southern Florida, with accumulations of more than 8 inches in several locations. The storm contributed to hundreds of vehicle crashes, including a pileup involving more than 65 vehicles on Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania. Indeed, nearly the entire Southeast region was covered with above-average annual precipitation totals, except for a few small pockets of unusual dryness in southwestern Alabama, the Big Bend region of Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The most up-to-date temperature and precipitation data is available through Climate at a Glance. Drought conditions exhibited a slightly cyclical pattern throughout the Southern Region during 2020, but conditions primarily deteriorated as the year progressed. Washington, D.C. observed its lowest annual snowfall total since records began in 1884, while Washington Dulles International Airport, VA observed its third lowest annual snowfall total (4.7 inches, 119 mm) since records began in 1962. Collectively, the past eight years . Hints of this transition began in the fall of 2019, when drought conditions developed across southern Kansas and western and southern Colorado. Maine had its driest September on record. Although drought has impacted parts of the region in recent years, such as the 2017 Northern Plains drought, this is the most expansive drought in the region since 2012-2013. Quick rises on waterways were observed. During summer and fall, groundwater levels were also well below normal in many drought areas. Many of the same locations that saw above normal and record high temperatures also experienced below normal precipitation and in some cases record dryness. Meanwhile, autumn was characterized by extreme temperature swings, with October ranking in the top 10 coldest and November ranking in the top 10 warmest for some states in the region. In October, Arctic sea ice concentration was the lowest value since the satellite records began. Dry wells were reported in New York and across New England, including more than 275 wells in Maine. On the northern side of the city, Frankford Creek reached moderate flood stage for the second time in a week. The damage pattern suggested that this tornado may have had multiple vortices, which can occur with the strongest tornadoes. A man in Bradenton Beach, FL was electrocuted when he touched an appliance while standing in floodwater. In October, Worcester, Massachusetts, took one of its reservoirs offline due to low water levels. Mitchell, NC on December 26th. Temperatures were well above average across much of the Southeast during the year, particularly in Florida and along coastal portions of the region. Severe weather in the region was spread across many months, however the most newsworthy was a severe derecho on August 10th. For example, in western West Virginia, portions of two 180-foot (55 m) communications towers were knocked over, a building at a car dealership collapsed, and the roofs of several homes were damaged or destroyed. Caribou, Maine, tied its greatest number of June nights with a low of 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) or lower on June 1 and 2. There were at least five storm-related deaths. Twenty-five fatalities and at least 166 injuries were caused by tornadoes during the year. A few small pockets of moderate drought developed in north-central Puerto Rico during late December. Severe drought touched parts of the five western-most states and extreme drought affected parts of southwestern Missouri and western Iowa. The statewide precipitation rankings for the year are as follows: Arkansas (eleventh wettest), Louisiana (ninteenth wettest), Mississippi (eleventh wettest), Oklahoma (twenty-seventh wettest), Tennessee (sixth wettest), and Texas (fifty-fourth driest). For instance, the Perkiomen Creek at Graterford, Pennsylvania, reached 19.14 feet (5.83 m), nearly a foot (0.30 m) higher than its previous record from 1935. The U.S. Drought Monitor released on August 27 showed 37 percent of the Northeast in a severe or moderate drought and 23 percent as abnormally dry. There were seven tropical cyclones that directly impacted the Southern Region in 2020. During July, the general trend across the region was worsening conditions. On December 16th, a winter storm produced freezing rain, sleet, and snow across portions of North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Crops largely reached maturity and were harvested after drying down in the field. This was a record fifth consecutive year with at least one Category 5 storm in the Atlantic. Six hurricanes made U.S. landfall, tying 1886 and 1985 for the most U.S. hurricane landfalls in a single season. Hawaiis peak drought extent occurred during November with approximately 74 percent coverage. One of the largest fires burned over 8,600 acres in Collier County and forced a portion of I-75 to close. It was only the second time since 1885 that Philadelphia recorded no snowfall during spring. There were three months (January, February, and September) where every state was wetter than normal and one month (November) where every state was drier than normal. Numerous trees and branches were felled due to a combination of strong winds, drought stress, and being fully leafed. Soybean yields set records in both Indiana and Kentucky. Dry conditions prevented farmers from planting crops, and for those that were planted, moisture stress led to slowed growth and reduced yields. On June 10, Dulles Airport, Virginia, tied its warmest June low temperature with a low of 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). Precipitation was drier than normal across all six states. Rocky Mountain snowpack was near normal for most of the 2019-20 season (July-June). There were several flash flooding events during the year. Up to 5 inches (127 mm) of rain fell, with the greatest amounts in northern and eastern Maine. Livestock producers in Georgia had to travel far to buy hay since supplies were short from the drought conditions in autumn 2019. Forage crop yields were reduced by up to 75 percent in Maine and New Hampshire. Ultimately, the year ended with over 80 percent of the region in drought (D1-D4), and these conditions caused a number of impacts over the course of the year. Annual precipitation averaged across the Midwest was 37.72 inches (958 mm), 0.78 inches (20 mm) above normal. The June 2021 global surface temperature was the fifth highest for June in the 142-year record at 0.88C (1.58F) above the 20th century average. To the west, West Virginia saw flood-inducing heavy rain, with the greatest totals approaching 4 inches (102 mm). Use of irrigation was widespread; however, in some locations it was expensive or water supplies ran low or dried up. Hurricanes Hanna and Delta were primarily rain events, with reports of 15 inches (381 mm) in southern Texas from Hanna and 17 inches (431.80 mm) in southwestern Louisiana from Delta. Some areas of the region, especially western and southern Colorado, had departures over 2.0 degrees F (1.1 degrees C), which led to many locations ranking in the top 10 warmest years on record. In addition, two weak (EF-0 or EF-1) tornadoes snapped trees and damaged houses in northern Maryland. Additional data received and processed after the release of this summary may result in small differences for annual values and ranks. The nationally averaged maximum temperature (daytime highs) was above average for 2020 at 66.3F, 2.3F above average, ranking as sixth warmest in the 126-year record. The U.S. Drought Monitor released on October 29 showed 47 percent of the Northeast in an extreme, severe, or moderate drought and 24 percent as abnormally dry. The states fire tower network was extended due to increased fire risk. There were four months (January, March, July, and November) where all six states averaged above-normal temperatures. These areas included portions of northern New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. The rate of warming since 1981 is more than twice as fast: 0.32 F (0.18 C) per decade. The storm's highest wind gusts ranged from 60 to 78 mph (27 to 35 m/s). There were no areas of below-average annual temperatures observed across the Lower 48 during 2020. Warm extremes in both maximum and minimum temperature across much of the U.S. in addition to wet conditions across the Southeast and dry conditions in the West contributed to this elevated USCEI value. An early season freeze event occurred in the Upper Midwest on September 8th-11th. In fact, it was the first time on record that Providence reported a high of 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) in the month of January. By the middle of May, the coverage in drought was significantly reduced across Florida, but areas of severe drought remained in southwestern Florida and coastal Alabama. , Apr 17, 2023. Fires were a major issue across Colorado and Wyoming this year, with the three largest fires in Colorados history burning this summer and fall. Pecan production was substantially impacted for this years crop, as many immature nuts were blown to the ground. Significant flooding occurred, particularly in southeastern Pennsylvania where several waterways recorded their highest water levels on record. Hawaii, for the second year in a row, saw above normal temperatures that were in some cases record-breaking. Hartford, Connecticut, tied its coldest June temperature on record on June 1 with a low of 37 degrees F (3 degrees C). This graph shows the change in global surface temperature compared to the long-term average from 1951 to 1980. Spring was warmer and wetter than normal for the Southern Region. March 20th saw six flooding deaths in Indiana when bridges were washed out near Laurel, Indiana. In addition, for the first time on record, Newark did not reach 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) during the month of April. The maximum wind speed was estimated at 85 mph, and three injuries were associated with the microburst. peter alexander journalist,
Godzilla Pregnant Fanfiction,
Hounslow Council Complaints About Neighbours,
Washington State High School Tennis Rankings,
Articles T