Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Possible Across the Central U.S.; Additional Flash Flooding Potential in the Mid-Atlantic

Strong thunderstorms are forecast across parts of the Central Plains and Midwest today with damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rainfall the primary threats. Heavy rain and scattered flash flooding is also possible across the Carolinas into Virginia. Elevated to critical fire weather concerns in the Four Corners region as Extreme Heat Warnings remain in effect across the Desert Southwest. Read More >

The fall 2022 season (September through November) featured above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation as a whole. Temperatures were about 1 to 2.5 degrees above average at all climate sites, and as is typical with the fall transition season, there were plenty of ups-and-downs. A warm second half of October, spilling into early November, graciously contributed to the above average temperatures. Several high temperature records were tied or surpassed in early November with high temperatures reaching into the 70s. There was a noticeably dry period for much of October that contributed to precipitation values around 1 to 2 inches below average at most sites. The lone exception was Ashland, which observed slightly above average precipitation. The Arrowhead of Minnesota and South Shore of northwest Wisconsin were the only areas that observed above average precipitation. A positive contribution from colder temperatures and increased lake-effect snow in mid-November is likely partially responsible for this trend. As a result of the drier-than-normal conditions, coverage of abnormally dry conditions and moderate drought have expanded in coverage a bit across the Northland since early September.