October Brings Warm Temperatures to the Southwest
The October State of the Climate report from NOAA shows U.S. temperatures were 0.9˚F above average, with eighteen states (including the Southwest) experiencing above-normal temperatures. The average temperature in Tucson was 83.3˚F, the 13th warmest October on record. Precipitation throughout the U.S. was only slightly below average and drought conditions across the Southern Plains actually improved slightly. In fact, central Texas received precipitation between 100 and 250 percent of normal for the month. However, southern Arizona and New Mexico were drier than normal with Tucson receiving precipitation that was only 7% of the average. The low amount of precipitation in these two states allowed drought conditions and extent to persist throughout October.