precipitation

West of the Rockies, temperatures were slightly below to well below normal this month, but regions of the Southwest east of Rockies saw temperatures near to slightly above average, according to the newest State of the Climate from NOAA.

Aerosols—small atmospheric particles such as soot and dust—can alter precipitation frequency and intensity, according to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience. Science Daily explains that the scientists used at

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.

According to the newest Southwest Climate Outlook from CLIMAS, October temperatures were cooler than average in northern Arizona and New Mexico, while southeastern New Mexico and southern Arizona experienced above-average temperatures.

Posted by Zack Guido | on October 31, 2011
The 2011 Water Year in Review is a summary of the information presented in the Southwest Climate Outlook between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2011. The water year is a standard period of measurement used in hydrology because the natural seasonal ground recharge and discharge cycles are more aligned with the October-September period than the calendar year due to precipitation and evaporation. This review highlights precipitation, temperature, reservoir levels, drought, wildfire, and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions.

According to the newest State of the Climate by NOAA, September was 1.5°F warmer than average across the U.S. Average precipitation, on the other hand, was near normal with most of the eastern half of the U.S.