Record Dryness in September

September precipitation ranged from less than 25% of normal to more than 200% of normal.

Much of the Northeast experienced a drier-than-normal September, with the driest locations in an area from Delaware to Massachusetts seeing less than 25% of normal precipitation. In fact, Islip, NY, and Wilmington, DE, had their driest September on record, each seeing less than 10% of normal. Overall, 31 of the region’s 35 major climate sites saw below-normal precipitation, with 17 of those (including Islip and Wilmington) seeing one of their 20 driest Septembers on record. The dry weather allowed drought and abnormal dryness to expand across the Northeast, with exceptional and extreme drought reaching record coverage in West Virginia during the month.

However, at month’s end, a stalled frontal system and the remnants of Hurricane Helene dropped heavy rainfall on some southern and eastern parts of West Virginia. This pushed monthly totals over 150% of normal, with Beckley and Huntington having their 11th wettest and 12th wettest September, respectively. September precipitation for all 35 major climate sites ranged from 7% of normal in Islip to 188% of normal in Beckley.

This September was record dry for Islip, NY, and Wilmington, DE, and among the 20 driest for another 15 major climate sites. However, it was among the 12 wettest Septembers for Beckley and Huntington, WV.

September temperatures ranged from 2°F below normal to 6°F above normal.

September wrapped up on the warm side of normal for much of the Northeast, with some northern and interior locations being more than 4°F warmer than normal. Cooler spots, which were as much as 2°F below normal, tended to be closer to the coast. At the region’s 35 major climate sites, September average temperatures ranged from 1.2°F below normal at LaGuardia Airport, NY, to 4.6°F above normal in Syracuse, NY, with 27 sites being warmer than normal. This September ranked among the 20 warmest on record for 15 major climate sites.

This September ranked among the 20 warmest on record for 15 major climate sites.

Parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia could be drier than normal this October, while much of the region is expected to be warmer than normal. Click to enlarge.

Outlooks from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center show a tilt toward drier-than-normal conditions for southwestern Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia for October. Much of the Northeast, particularly northern areas, are favored to be warmer than normal for October.