November Climate Summary - The Southeast

This is the first in a new climate summary series called Monthly Southeast Climate at a Glance. Aurelia Baca, SERCH Climate Specialist, will review NOAA/NCEI monthly climate summaries and provide temperature and precipitation highlights for the Southeastern region, along with impacts to agricultural and forestry sectors.

November Southeast Climate at a Glance

Temperature Summary

November was another warm and wet month for the entire Southeastern United States. Every Southeastern state observed well above average temperatures (Figure 1) as well as many temperature extremes. In fact, Florida experienced their warmest maximum temperature for the month of November. Alabama, Florida, southern Georgia, and western Virginia experienced the greatest deviations over the region. The monthly temperatures were 5-9 °F above the average.

Fig. 1. Statewide average temperature ranks for November. Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/service/national/statewidetavgrank/201511.gif

The warmest weather occurred from the 4th to the 7th. During this time, maximum temperatures exceeded 70°F across most of the southeast with some areas reaching the upper 80s °F and lower 90s °F. The coolest weather of the month occurred a few weeks later on the 23rd and 24th. The minimum temperature reached the 20s °F across much of the region. 

Precipitation Summary

Along with above average temperatures, every Southeastern state observed above normal precipitation totals (Figure 2). Arkansas experienced their wettest November on record. Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina were well above their respective average with monthly precipitation totals 150 to 300 percent of normal. The northern locations of the southeast and central Florida were the driest areas where precipitation totals were 25 to 50 percent of their normal.

Fig. 2. Statewide precipitation total ranks for November. Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/service/national/statewidepcpnrank/201511.gif

Consistent precipitation alleviated much of the drought conditions over the Southeast. Drought-free conditions (less than D1) increased from 98 to 100 percent by December 1st. The moderate drought (D1) conditions that were present in west-central Alabama, southern Georgia, and the Florida panhandle diminished as consistent precipitation fell across the region. 

Climate Impacts on Agriculture

The above average temperature and precipitation caused some issues among the agricultural sector. The abnormally warm and wet climate caused delayed harvest and reduced the quality of crops across the Southeast. Farmers in Georgia reported their pecan orchards sprouted prematurely. Also, Carolina farmers reported their harvest on cotton, soybeans, and peanuts were poor due to the above average precipitation. 

Conclusions 

The above average precipitation is most likely indicative of El Nino's influence on our weather pattern. Similar conditions are likely to persist throughout the remainder of December causing mild weather conditions for the end of 2015.

References:
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, State of the Climate: National Overview for November 2015, published online December 2015, retrieved on December 14, 2015 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/201511