NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information
National Overview
August Highlights
August Temperature
The contiguous U.S. average temperature during August was 74.0°F, which is 1.9°F, above average; and tied with August 1998 as the 15th warmest August in the 130-year record.
Generally, temperatures were above average across the western and northeastern contiguous U.S., with near-record warmth in the southern states. Conversely, near- to below-average temperatures were observed from North Dakota to the Carolinas.
For the month of August, Florida had its second-warmest August on record while Texas and New Mexico each had their third-warmest August on record.
The contiguous U.S. average maximum (daytime) temperature during August was 86.7°F, 1.6°F above the 20th century average, ranking in the warmest third of the historical record. Maximum temperatures were above average across the Southwest, Deep South and parts of the Ohio Valley to Mid-Atlantic. Near -to below-average temperatures spanned much of the Central to Northern Plains, the Carolinas and parts of the Northeast. New Mexico was fourth warmest while Arizona and Texas each ranked fifth warmest for daytime high temperatures in August. No state had their top ten coldest for daytime high temperatures in August.
The contiguous U.S. average minimum (nighttime) temperature during August was 61.3°F, 2.3°F above the 20th century average, ranking tenth warmest in the historical record. Minimum temperatures were above average across much of the western half of the contiguous U.S., from the Great Lakes to the Northeast, and along the East and Gulf coasts. Conversely, near- to below-average nighttime temperatures were observed from parts of the Central Plains and Midwest to the Southeast. Florida, New Mexico, and Texas each ranked third warmest August on record for nighttime temperatures.
The Alaska statewide August temperature was 49.6°F, 0.1°F above the long-term average. This ranked in the middle third of the 100-year period of record for the state. Monthly temperatures were near- to cooler-than-average across much of the state, with above-average temperatures observed across parts of the North Slope and from the Northeast Gulf to the Panhandle.
Based on NOAA's Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index (REDTI), the contiguous U.S. temperature-related energy demand during August was 171 percent of average, ranking in the upper third of the 130-year period of record.
August Precipitation
The August precipitation total for the contiguous U.S. was 2.46 inches, 0.16 inch below average, ranking in the driest third of the historical record.
Precipitation was below average across much of the South from the southern California coast to the central Gulf Coast, extending into the Ohio Valley. Conversely, precipitation was above average along the East Coast, across the central Rockies, Northern Tier states and from northern California to Washington State.
Alabama and Mississippi each had their driest August on record, with Tennessee ranking second driest. Conversely, New York had its fourth-wettest August on record.
Across the state of Alaska, August 2024 ranked in the wettest third of the historical record. Drier-than-average conditions dominated the Aleutians and central to southern Panhandle regions, while mostly above-average precipitation dominated the remainder of the state.
According to the September 3 U.S. Drought Monitor, about 30% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, up a little over 10% from the end of July. Drought or abnormally dry conditions expanded or intensified this month across much of the Deep South, Great Plains and Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, and in the Great Basin to California and in the interior Pacific Northwest. Parts of West Virginia and Ohio experienced exceptional drought for the first time in the 25-year U.S. Drought Monitor history. Drought contracted or was reduced in intensity across much of Hawaii and the Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Northeast, West and Central Plains.
Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
One new billion-dollar weather and climate disaster was confirmed this month, a severe weather event that impacted the central and eastern U.S. in mid-June.
There have been 20 confirmed weather and climate disaster events this year, each with losses exceeding $1 billion. These disasters consisted of 16 severe storm events, one tropical cyclone event, one wildfire event and two winter storms. The total cost of these events exceeds $53.0 billion, and they have resulted in at least 149 fatalities.
The U.S. has sustained 396 separate weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2024). The total cost of these 396 events exceeds $2.780 trillion.
Other Notable Events
- The high temperature of 89°F at Deadhorse Airport on August 6 broke the previous all-time record high of 85°F set in July 2016. This is also the highest temperature on record in Alaska north of 70°N.
- Slow moving thunderstorms on August 18 caused flash flooding, several mudslides and numerous water rescues and prompted hundreds of evacuations on Long Island, New York and across parts of Connecticut.
- On August 24, Palisades Tahoe, California, reported its first August snowfall since 2004.
- A heat wave towards the end of August broke all-time heat records for Abilene, Texas at 113°F on August 21 and Medicine Lodge, Kansas at 115°F on August 24.
- Three tropical systems impacted the U.S. and its territories in August:
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- Debby made landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane on August 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida and a second landfall as a tropical storm near Bulls Bay, South Carolina on August 8. The storm brought heavy rains, flooding and strong winds to the Southeast.
- In Puerto Rico, before strengthening as a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ernesto brought significant flooding and caused nearly half of the island to lose power due to its strong winds during August 13–14.
- Rain bands and strong winds from Hurricane Hone impacted Hawaii during August 24–25, causing flooding and power outages.
- A number of cities across the West, South and East Coast each experienced their warmest summer on record including:
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- Phoenix, Arizona: 98.9°F
- Yuma, Arizona: 95.7°F
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida: 84.6°F
- Redding, California: 84.4°F
- Grand Junction, Colorado: 80.1°F
- Dulles, Virginia: 78.1°F
- Reno, Nevada: 77.5°F
- Hartford, Connecticut: 75.5°F
- Flagstaff, Arizona: 68.4°F
- Caribou, Maine: 67.3°F
- There were several extreme weather events in the Northeast during August, with a few noted below.
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- The first few days of August were unusually hot in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Baltimore, Maryland, and Dulles Airport, Virginia, reached high temperatures of 101 degrees F, ranking among their 10 hottest August temperatures on record. Similarly, low temperatures ranked among the 10 hottest for August at Dulles airport and Washington, D.C. New York City activated its Heat Emergency Plan for a record number of days this summer.
- A frontal system slowly drifted south across New England and New York from August 4 to 5. This provided a focal point for severe weather including an EF-1 tornado in the city of Buffalo, New York, that damaged roofs and overturned two vehicles. On August 6 and 7, the front continued to sink south into the Mid-Atlantic, helping spur storm activity boosted by moisture from the approaching remnants of Hurricane Debby. Flash flooding from several inches of rain led to inundated roads, stranded vehicles, and numerous water rescues in places like eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southeastern New York. The frontal system merged with the remnants of Hurricane Debby, producing torrential rainfall and multiple tornadoes in the Northeast from August 8 to 10. The greatest rainfall totals approached 8 inches, generally in an area from eastern West Virginia to northern New York. A few sites including Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Binghamton and Albany, New York, had one of their 10 wettest August days, with those sites going on to have one of their 10 wettest Augusts on record. The rainfall led to significant flash flooding, particularly in parts of northern Pennsylvania and central New York where the National Weather Service issued rare Flash Flood Emergencies which signify a dangerous, life-threatening situation. Floodwaters inundated and/or washed away roads and buildings, resulting in numerous evacuations and water rescues. The storm also produced four tornadoes. There was one fatality and several storm-related injuries, mostly due to fallen trees.
- Between August 18 and 19, 8 to 15 inches of rain fell on New York's Long Island and southwestern Connecticut, leading to catastrophic flash flooding. The highest daily rainfall totals were near Oxford, Connecticut, with 14.83 inches and 13.50 inches, 500-year storm events with a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any given year. Both reports were being reviewed as a possible state record for Connecticut. Flash Flood Emergencies were issued by the National Weather Service. There were hundreds of evacuations and water rescues as floodwaters washed away roads and bridges and swamped buildings. There were at least two flood-related deaths in Connecticut. Significant rainfall and flash flooding was also reported in other areas such as northern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and northern New York.
- Other items of note included smoke from wildfires burning in the western U.S. and Canada causing hazy skies and reduced air quality in northern parts of the region in mid-August, Hurricane Ernesto producing rough surf and rip currents along the East Coast in mid-August, and several instances of algal blooms and/or increased bacteria causing beaches, lakes, and other waterways to close for recreational activities during the month.
Summer Highlights
June-August Temperature
The meteorological summer (June-August) average temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 73.8°F, 2.5°F above average, which is the fourth-warmest summer in the 130-year record.
Temperatures were above average to record warm across much of the western U.S. and from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.
Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, and New Hampshire each had their warmest summer on record.
The contiguous U.S. average maximum (daytime) temperature during June-August was 86.6°F, 2.2°F above the 20th century average, ranking eighth warmest on record. Above-average temperatures were observed across much of the eastern and western contiguous U.S. with near-record temperatures in the Southwest. Near- to below-average temperatures were observed across the northern Great Plains down to the Gulf Coast. Arizona, California and Utah each had their warmest summer on record, with thirteen additional states experiencing a top-10 warmest June-August for daytime temperatures. No state experienced a top-10 coldest summer on record for this three-month period.
The contiguous U.S. average minimum (nighttime) temperature during this three-month period was 61.1°F, 2.7°F above the 20th century average, ranking third warmest in the historical record. Above-average nighttime temperatures were observed across much of the eastern and western contiguous U.S. with near-record temperatures in the Southwest, New England and Florida. Near average temperatures were observed in pockets across the central and northern Great Plains and the Ohio Valley. Arizona, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Vermont ranked warmest on record for nighttime temperatures, with 22 additional states experiencing a top-10 warmest June-August for nighttime temperatures. No state experienced a top-10 coldest event for nighttime temperatures this summer season.
The Alaska summer temperature was 51.7°F, 1.3°F above the long-term average, ranking in the warmest third of the record for the state. Temperatures were above-average across much of the state, while parts of the West Coast and Bristol Bay saw near-average summer temperatures.
Based on REDTI, the contiguous U.S. temperature-related energy demand during June-August was 228 percent of average and was the fifth-highest value on record.
June-August Precipitation
The contiguous U.S. summer precipitation total was near-average with a total of 8.30 inches, ranking in the middle third of the June-August record.
Precipitation was above average across portions of the Upper Midwest, and in parts of the Northeast, Southeast, Gulf Coast and central Rockies. Michigan saw its fifth-wettest summer on record.
Summer precipitation was below average from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf Coast, from the northern Rockies to California and across portions of the central and southern Plains. West Virginia had its fifth-driest summer on record.
For summer season precipitation, Alaska ranked in the wettest third of the record with wetter-than-average conditions observed across most of the state. Precipitation was below average in parts of the South Panhandle, Southeast Interior and the Aleutians.
Extremes
The U.S. Climate Extremes Index (USCEI) for the summer period was 46 percent above average, ranking eleventh highest in the 115-year period of record. The USCEI is an index that tracks extremes (occurring in the upper or lower 10 percent of the record) in temperature, precipitation and drought across the contiguous United States.
On the regional scale, the Northeast and Southwest both ranked much-above average, and the West experienced its most extreme June-August period on record. Each of these regions experienced elevated extremes in warm maximum and warm minimum temperatures. The Northeast also had elevated extremes in wet PDSI and days with precipitation. Conversely, extremes across the Ohio Valley were 45 percent below average, with this summer ranking in the lowest third of the historical record.
Year-to-Date Highlights
January-August Temperature
For the January-August period, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 56.9°F, 3.0°F above average, ranking second warmest on record for this period.
Temperatures were above average across nearly all of the contiguous U.S., while record-warm temperatures were observed in parts of the Northeast, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and South.
New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia each saw their warmest January-August period. An additional 25 states had a top-5 warmest year-to-date period. All states ranked in the warmest third of the historical record during this eight-month period.
The contiguous U.S. average maximum (daytime) temperature during January-August was 68.7°F, 2.8°F above the 20th century average, ranking fifth warmest on record. Above-average temperatures were observed across most of the contiguous U.S. with pockets of record warm temperatures in the central Appalachians and pockets of near average temperatures evident across parts of the West, Deep South and Northern Plains. Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia each ranked second warmest on record for daytime temperatures during the January-August period, while 19 additional states ranked among their top-10 warmest January-August on record for daytime temperatures. All states ranked in the warmest third of the historical record during this eight-month period.
The contiguous U.S. average minimum (nighttime) temperature during this eight-month period was 45.1°F, 3.3°F above the 20th century average, ranking second warmest in the historical record. Above-average nighttime temperatures were observed across nearly all of the Lower 48, while record temperatures were observed in parts of the Deep South, Great Lakes and Northeast. Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia each ranked warmest on record, while 17 additional states ranked among their top-5 warmest January-August period on record for nighttime temperatures. All states ranked in the warmest third of the historical record during this eight-month period.
The Alaska January-August temperature was 31.2°F, 2.4°F above the long-term average, ranking in the warmest third of the historical record for the state. Most of the state was warmer than average for this eight-month period.
Based on REDTI, the contiguous U.S. temperature-related energy demand during January-August was 44 percent of average and was the thirteenth-lowest value on record.
January-August Precipitation
The January-August precipitation total for the contiguous U.S. was 22.93 inches, 2.23 inches above average, ranking 10th wettest in the 130-year record.
Precipitation was above average across a large portion of the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Deep South. Rhode Island and Connecticut both ranked second wettest. Nine additional states ranked among their top-10 wettest on record for this eight-month period.
Conversely, precipitation was below average across parts Northwest, northern Plains, central Appalachians and west Texas during the January-August period. No states ranked among their top-10 driest year-to-date period on record.
The January-August precipitation ranked in the wettest third of the 100-year record for Alaska.
Extremes
The U.S. Climate Extremes Index (USCEI) for the year-to-date period was 72 percent above average, ranking sixth highest in the 115-year period of record. Extremes in warm maximum and warm minimum temperatures were the major contributors to this elevated CEI value. The USCEI is an index that tracks extremes (occurring in the upper or lower 10 percent of the record) in temperature, precipitation and drought across the contiguous United States.
On the regional scale, much-above average extremes were experienced across much of the Southeast, Ohio Valley and Upper Midwest, with the Northeast having its most extreme year-to-date period on record. Each of these regions experienced elevated extremes in warm maximum and warm minimum temperatures, while the Northeast also had elevated extremes in wet PDSI, 1-day precipitation and days with precipitation, and the Southeast had the sixth highest extreme in 1-day precipitation.
Monthly Outlook
According to the August 31 One-Month Outlook from the Climate Prediction Center, above-average temperatures are favored to impact areas across Florida and the western portions of the U.S. in September, while below-average monthly total precipitation is likely to occur across the Upper Midwest. Drought is likely to persist in the Northwest, Central Plains, Ohio Valley and Hawaii.
According to the One-Month Outlook issued on September 1 from the National Interagency Fire Center, portions of the West, Ohio Valley, Lower Mississippi Valley and Hawaii above-normal significant wildland fire potential during September.
Regional Highlights
These regional summaries were provided by the six Regional Climate Centers and reflect conditions in their respective regions. These six regions differ spatially from the nine climatic regions of the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Northeast (Information provided by the Northeast Regional Climate Center)
While August temperatures were closer to normal, the heat of June and July pushed summer into record territory, with the season also featuring extremes of record-setting drought and catastrophic flash flooding.
Temperature
While the first two months of summer were unusually hot, August was closer to normal. The Northeast’s average temperature for the month was 69.0 degrees F, 0.3 degrees F warmer than normal. Average temperature departures for August for the 12 Northeast states ranged from 0.8 degrees F cooler than normal in Rhode Island to 0.8 degrees F warmer than normal in Maine and Vermont, with eight of the states on the warm side of normal. The Northeast had its fourth-hottest summer since recordkeeping began in 1895 with an average temperature of 69.9 degrees F, 1.8 degrees F warmer than normal. Summer 2024 was record hot for Maine and New Hampshire and among the 12 hottest for the other 10 Northeast states: Massachusetts and Vermont, second hottest; Maryland and New Jersey, third hottest; Connecticut, sixth hottest; New York, seventh hottest; Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, eighth hottest; and West Virginia, 12th hottest. Summer average temperatures for the states ranged from 1.1 degrees F above normal in Delaware to 2.6 degrees F above normal in Vermont. Additionally, this summer was the hottest on record for Hartford, Connecticut, Caribou, Maine, and Dulles Airport, Virginia.
Precipitation
The Northeast had its 13th-wettest August since 1895, seeing 5.29 inches of precipitation, 132 percent of normal. August precipitation for the 12 Northeast states ranged from 78 percent of normal in West Virginia to 156 percent of normal in New York, with 10 states being wetter than normal. This August was among the 18 wettest for five states: New York, fourth wettest; Pennsylvania, 10th wettest; New Hampshire, 13th wettest; Vermont, 16th wettest; and New Jersey, 18th wettest. The Northeast ended summer with 13.07 inches of precipitation, 102 percent of normal. Summer precipitation for the 12 Northeast states ranged from 64 percent of normal in West Virginia to 127 percent of normal in Vermont, with the states split between drier and wetter than normal. This summer was the fifth driest on record for West Virginia but the eighth wettest for Vermont and the 12th wettest for New York.
Drought
The U.S. Drought Monitor from August 6 showed 20 percent of the Northeast in drought and 17 percent of the region as abnormally dry. Drought conditions were mostly focused in the Mid-Atlantic, particularly West Virginia, western/central Maryland, and the southern half of Pennsylvania. Abnormal dryness was found in all states except Connecticut and Rhode Island. By mid-August, rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Debby eased an area of extreme drought that spanned from eastern West Virginia into southern Pennsylvania and allowed severe and moderate drought, as well as abnormal dryness, to contract in multiple locations. The notable exceptions were southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia outside the Eastern Panhandle. These areas missed out on much of Debby’s rainfall, allowing severe drought to expand and extreme drought to be introduced and expand in western and central West Virginia. In late August, exceptional drought was introduced in West Virginia for the first time since the inception of the U.S. Drought Monitor in 2000. The U.S. Drought Monitor from August 27 showed 15 percent of the Northeast in drought and 7 percent of the region as abnormally dry. During August, streamflow and/or groundwater levels were much below normal or record low in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, particularly West Virginia. Low water levels in a reservoir in eastern West Virginia caused the water to be unusable due to increased iron levels. Due to this, the city had been supplying residents with bottled water for drinking, while the West Virginia Department of Transportation hauled in non-potable water for other uses. Low water levels in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia impacted recreational activities, with boat ramps out of the water, an early end to the boating season, and officials warning kayakers and boaters to be cautious of new obstacles to navigate. Despite Debby’s rainfall, millions of residents in the Mid-Atlantic were asked to continue to conserve water as deficits persisted in some areas. Farmers in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia continued to report reduced yields of crops like corn and soybeans as the rainfall from Debby’s remnants, for those areas that received it, came too late to save the crops. A USDA crop report for the week ending August 25 showed the condition of corn, soybeans, apples, and peaches in West Virginia in the very poor, poor, and fair categories, with none in the good or excellent categories. The same crop report showed that for the first time since at least 2002 (prior records exist but are categorized differently), all of West Virginia had topsoil moisture in the very short-short categories. Additionally, for the same week, pasture and rangeland conditions were the state’s worst since at least 2002. With dried up pastures and some farms not getting a second cutting of hay, growers continued to buy feed for livestock or dip into their winter supplies, with some opting to sell or relocate livestock. Farmers also continued to haul water for livestock and irrigation. All of this led to increased operational costs. There were concerns that drought conditions in West Virginia this summer could affect fall foliage, as well as crops next year and Christmas tree supplies in future years. Dried up lawns also led to reduced revenue for some landscaping businesses in West Virginia. That state also saw an uptick in wildfires over the summer due to the drought.
Notable Weather
For more information, please visit the Northeast Regional Climate Center Home Page.
Midwest Region (Information provided by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center)
Temperature
The preliminary average August temperature for the Midwest was 71.3 degrees F (21.8 degrees C), which was 0.4 degrees F (0.2 degrees C) above the 1991-2020 normal. Throughout the region, temperatures were largely near normal, with localized pockets of slightly above-normal temperatures. Preliminary statewide average temperatures ranged from 0.1 degrees F (0.1 degrees C) below normal in Kentucky to 1 degree F (0.6 degrees C) above normal in Ohio. August started and ended with warm conditions, while mid-month temperatures were cooler than normal for most. During the last week in August, the central and lower Midwest had several days with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s, with a few isolated locations in the lower Midwest reaching triple digits. The average summer (June-August) temperature for the Midwest was slightly above normal, with temperatures about 1-2 degrees F (0.6-1.1 degrees C) above normal in Ohio and eastern Kentucky and near-normal temperatures for the rest of the region.
Precipitation
Preliminary August precipitation totaled 3.39 inches (86 mm) for the Midwest, which was 0.28 inches (7 mm) below normal, or 92 percent of normal. Precipitation was 1-3 inches (25.4-76.2 mm) above normal across the upper Midwest, northern and south-central Missouri, and northeast Ohio. Precipitation deficits of 2-4 inches (50.8-101.6 mm) were observed in the south-central Midwest, southeast Ohio, and central Iowa. Preliminary statewide precipitation totals ranged from 0.93 inches (23.6 mm) below normal in Kentucky to 0.74 inches (18.8 mm) above normal in Minnesota. While there were no statewide records this month, some localized areas reported record or near-record precipitation extremes. In Ohio and Minnesota, there were sharp gradients of wet-to-dry conditions. The Akron area, in northeast Ohio, had its 9th wettest August in 132 years with 6.55 inches (166.37 mm). In contrast, the Zanesville area in southeastern Ohio recorded its driest August in 125 years, measuring just 0.17 inches (4.3 mm) of rainfall for the month. Alexandria, in central Minnesota, tied for the 3rd wettest August in 83 years with 7.53 inches (191.3 mm) of rain. Meanwhile, in southwest Minnesota, Lamerton had its 5th driest August in 64 years with 1.17 inches (29.7 mm). Summer precipitation for the Midwest was slightly above normal overall, with seasonal precipitation 125-175 percent of normal across the northwest decreasing to 50-75 percent of normal across the southeast.
Drought
Drought and abnormally dry conditions expanded and intensified across the region in August, covering about 37 percent of the region by late August, according to the U.S. Drought (USDM) map. The most severe conditions were focused over southeastern Ohio, where intensity reached D4 (exceptional) drought for the first time since the USDM began in the year 2000. Drought-affected areas in Ohio had poor-quality pastures, farmers were hauling water, cow/calf weaning was earlier than normal, and there was an increased risk of field fires. Elsewhere across the region, abnormally dry conditions and D1 (moderate) drought were sporadic across the region and expanding in coverage to end the month.
For further details on the weather and climate events in the Midwest, see the weekly and monthly reports at the Midwestern Climate Summaries page.
Southeast (Information provided by the Southeast Regional Climate Center)
Temperature
Mean temperatures were variable across the Southeast in August. Below average temperatures were found across much of the Carolinas, southern Virginia, and central portions of Alabama and Georgia, with some locations as much as 3 degrees F (1.6 degrees C) below average for the month. Concord, NC, located near Charlotte, tied its fourth coldest August on record (since 1933). In contrast, mean temperatures were above average across northern Virginia, southern portions of Alabama and Georgia, and much of Florida, with some locations as much as 4 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) above average for the month. Mobile, AL (1871-2024), Tallahassee, FL (1896-2024), and Punta Gorda, FL (1914-2024) recorded their second warmest August on record. Daytona Beach, FL (1923-2024) tied its third warmest August on record, while Valdosta, GA (1948-2024) recorded its fifth warmest August on record.
The month was bookended with periods of extreme heat. On the 1st, the heat index at Raleigh-Durham, NC reached 110 degrees F (43.3 degrees C), while a WeatherSTEM station on the University of North Carolina campus reached 115 degrees F (46.1 degrees C). The next day, the temperature reached 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) at Washington’s Dulles Airport. On the 7th, Tampa, FL tied its fourth highest August heat index on record (since 1940) with a value of 115 degrees F (46.1 degrees C). Minimum temperatures were also exceptionally warm. On the 2nd, Norfolk, VA (1874-2024) tied its highest minimum August temperature of 81 degrees F (27.2 degrees C), while the Mobile, AL downtown airport (1948-2024) tied its all-time highest minimum temperature of 83 degrees F (28.3 degrees C). On the 7th, Punta Gorda, FL (1914-2024) tied its second highest all-time minimum temperature of 84 degrees F (28.9 degrees C), while the next day, Fort Myers, FL (1892-2024) tied its highest all-time minimum temperature of 83 degrees F (28.3 degrees C), which was last set in 1997. Extreme heat returned near the end of the month, with some locations eclipsing the century mark between the 27th and 30th, including Washington’s Reagan Airport (101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C) on the 28th, and Raleigh-Durham, NC (101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C) on the 29th. Muscle Shoals, AL and Huntsville, AL recorded three consecutive days with temperatures of at least 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) from the 27th to the 29th and from the 28th to the 30th, respectively.
The coolest weather of the month occurred between the 20th and 27th in the wake of a cold front. Minimum temperatures during this period were 5 to 10 degrees F (2.8 to 5.6 degrees C) below average, except across Florida and southern portions of Alabama and Georgia. The greatest departures were observed from the 21st to the 23rd, with minimum temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees F (5.6 and 8.3 degrees C) below average. Mill Gap, VA, located at over 2,500 feet (762 m) elevation, recorded a temperature of 36 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) on the morning of the 23rd, which was the coldest August temperature recorded in nearly three decades. Maximum temperatures were also below average across most of the region, including Florida, particularly from the 20th to the 23rd, with some locations running more than 10 degrees F (5.6 degrees C) below average. On the 21st, Chapel Hill, NC recorded a maximum temperature of 75 degrees F (23.9 degrees C), which was the coldest rain-free maximum temperature in August in 35 years.
Mean temperatures were above average across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. San Juan, PR (1898-2024) recorded its warmest August on record with a mean temperature of 85.8 degrees F (29.9 degrees C), breaking the previous record of 85.2 degrees F (29.6 degrees C) set last year, while Saint Croix recorded its fifth warmest August on record. The heat index reached 115 degrees F (46.1 degrees C) in the Cotton Valley community on Saint Croix on the 25th. In Puerto Rico, the heat index reached 125 degrees F (51.7 degrees C) in the southern coastal city of Ponce on the 29th.
Precipitation
As with temperature, precipitation was also variable across the region. The wettest locations were found across the Florida Peninsula, eastern portions of Georgia and the Carolinas as well as central and northern portions of North Carolina and Virginia. Monthly precipitation was generally between 2 and 4 inches (51 and 102 mm) above average in these areas (125 to 200 percent of normal), with some locations running more than 6 inches (152 mm) above average for the month (at least 200 percent of normal). Much of this precipitation was associated with Hurricane Debby, which dropped over 10 inches (254 mm) of rain from southwest Florida up through coastal sections of Georgia and the Carolinas from the 4th to the 8th of the month, with an additional 2 to 5 inches (51 to 127 mm) recorded across central and northern portions of North Carolina and Virginia through the 9th of the month. Moncks Corner, located about 25 miles (40.2 km) north of Charleston, SC, recorded 22.02 inches (559 mm) of rain between the 5th and 9th. According to the South Carolina State Climatology Office, this marks the second highest precipitation total from a tropical cyclone in the state since 1956, less than 2 inches (51 mm) shy of the record set during Hurricane Florence in 2018. Debby also contributed to several notable daily precipitation amounts. On the 4th, Sarasota, FL (1911-2024) recorded its all-time wettest day on record with 11.06 inches (281 mm), breaking the previous record of 10.80 inches (274 mm) recorded on June 23, 1945. For the month, Sarasota recorded 23.55 inches (598 mm), which is just over 2 inches (51 mm) shy of its August record. Also on the 4th, Tampa, FL (1890-2024) recorded its second wettest August day on record with 4.85 inches (123 mm). For the month, Tampa recorded 17.78 inches (452 mm), making it the third wettest August on record. On the 6th, Walterboro, SC (1903-2024) recorded its second wettest day on record with 8.02 inches (204 mm), while Glennville, GA (1904-2024), located 50 miles (80.5 km) west of Savannah, recorded its third wettest day on record with 8.75 inches (222 mm). On the 7th, Wilmington, NC (1871-2024) recorded its fourth wettest August day on record with 5.66 inches (144 mm). For the month, Wilmington recorded 14.66 inches (372 mm), making it the second wettest August on record. In addition to Debby, heavy rain was recorded across much of Florida from the 23rd to the 25th of the month, as the cold front that brought below average temperatures to the region stalled across the Peninsula. Several locations around Miami, Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville recorded 3 to 5 inches (76 to 127 mm) of rain, with some places recording over 8 inches (203 mm) during the three day period. Precipitation in August was above average across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Much of this precipitation was connected with another tropical cyclone, Hurricane Ernesto, which dropped over 10 inches (254 mm) of rain across the islands on the 14th and 15th. The Maricao Fish Hatchery, located along the western slopes of the Cordillera Central in Puerto Rico, recorded 9.00 inches (229 mm) on the 15th, making it the fifth wettest day on record (since 1955). Also on the 15th, the station at Beth Upper New Works on Saint Croix recorded its fifth wettest day on record (since 1972) with 5.65 inches (144 mm).
In contrast, below average precipitation was found across Alabama, the western Panhandle Florida, most of Alabama, and western portions of the Carolinas, where monthly totals were less than half, and in some cases less than a quarter, of their expected amounts. Macon, GA (1892-2024) recorded its driest August on record with just 0.17 inches (4 mm), breaking the previous record of 0.70 inches (18 mm) set in 1925. Montgomery, AL (1872-2024) also recorded its driest August on record with 0.38 inches (10 mm), breaking the previous record of 0.73 inches (19 mm) set in 1997. Several locations across northern Alabama, including Huntsville and Muscle Shoals, recorded less than 1 inch (25 mm) of rain for the month, which is more than 3 inches (76 mm) below average. Pensacola, FL (1879-2024) recorded its third driest August on record with 0.96 inches (24 mm), which is just 10 percent of normal. Atlanta, GA (1878-2024) recorded its fourth driest August on record with 0.80 inches (20 mm), which is less than 20 percent of normal.
Drought
August began with patches of abnormal dryness (D0) across the interior of the region and pockets of moderate (D1) drought across parts of northern Alabama and the Carolinas. A small area of severe (D2) drought was also found in eastern South Carolina. Conditions were especially dry across northern Virginia, where extreme (D3) drought was found across the Shenandoah Valley and severe (D2) drought was found across parts of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont. The precipitation from Hurricane Debby helped eliminate drought and abnormal dryness across much of the Carolinas, and contributed to one-category improvements across central and northern Virginia. On the other hand, hot and dry conditions across Alabama and Georgia, as well as western portions of the Carolinas that missed out on the precipitation from Debby, led to an expansion of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate (D1) drought, with pockets of severe (D2) drought emerging across northern portions of Alabama by the end of the month. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continued to remain free of any drought or abnormal dryness.
Agriculture
Dry conditions across Alabama and parts of Georgia slowed the progress of many crops, particularly corn and soybeans. Many farmers were forced to rely heavily on irrigation. The lack of moisture also slowed the growth of hay fields, raising concerns that farmers may not be able to secure another cutting this season. The lack of pasture growth forced some producers to buy feed for their cattle. Dry conditions also contributed to infestations of armyworms, which caused significant damage to pastures, hayfields, and even some crops such as peanuts, which are typically resistant to such pests. On the other hand, the lack of rain helped some areas ramp up the harvest of corn and planting of fall vegetables. The heavy rain from Hurricane Debby caused major soil erosion and flooded numerous fields, drowning crops and poultry. In Irwin County, GA, over 50,000 chickens were lost due to flooding. High winds destroyed tobacco crops that were about to be harvested, resulting in losses of up to 75 percent in places. Other crops nearing harvest, including corn, cotton, peanuts, and pecans, also suffered damage. Additionally, damage and power outages were reported at several dairies and poultry coops. Standing water led to a rise in pests and diseases and made it difficult for farmers to get equipment into their fields, delaying harvests and crop treatments. In contrast, the rain from Debby was beneficial for some crops in eastern North Carolina and central Virginia. Tobacco, pumpkins, and peanuts in these regions received much-needed moisture. However, for some crops, particularly corn, the rain may have come too late. In parts of eastern North Carolina and northern Virginia, losses of over 60 percent were reported, as the damage from dry conditions earlier in the summer could not be fully mitigated by the recent rain.
Notable Weather
There were 727 reports of severe weather across the Southeast in August, which is more than double the median frequency of 330 reports over the period 2000-2023 (220 percent of normal). There were 22 confirmed tornadoes (9 EF-0s, 10 EF-1s, 2 EF-2s, 1 EF-3), which is almost 2.5 times the median frequency of nine (244 percent of normal). Nearly all of these occurred from North Florida to northern Virginia in association with Hurricane Debby from the 4th to the 8th of the month. The strongest tornadoes occurred in eastern North Carolina. On the afternoon of the 7th, an EF-2 caused significant damage in the community of Harrells in Sampson County. Multiple homes had roofing and siding material ripped off, windows blown out, and several hardwood trees up to 2 feet (0.6 m) in diameter were snapped. Another EF-2 caused significant damage in the community of Snow Hill in Greene County in the early morning hours of the 8th. A mobile home was destroyed with debris blown over 100 yards (91 m) away. A large barn was also destroyed. Several power poles were snapped and a pickup truck was rolled on its side. Around the same time, an EF-3 touched down in nearby Wilson County, causing major damage in the town of Lucama, located 35 miles (60 km) east of Raleigh. Several homes and buildings, including a middle school, were severely damaged. Several sections of roofing material were removed and several exterior walls of the school were blown out. A two-story home collapsed after its walls were blown out, killing one person inside. This was only the third F/EF-3 tornado associated with a tropical cyclone in North Carolina since 1950.
There were 664 wind reports in August, which is more than double the median frequency of 293 reports (227 percent of normal). A microburst with winds up to 95 mph (42 m/s) brought down numerous trees and damaged some structures in the Honeycomb campground in Marshall County in northern Alabama on the 2nd of the month. Straight-line winds of 80 to 90 mph (36 to 40 m/s) caused damage to the Southampton County fairgrounds in the town of Franklin in southeastern Virginia on the 4th of the month. Greenville downtown airport in the Upstate of South Carolina recorded a 67 mph (30 m/s) wind gust on the 31st, making it the second highest gust on record for any day of the year (since 1942). There were 30 hail reports in August, which is near the median frequency of 29 reports (103 percent of normal). The largest hailstones were 2.5 inches (64 mm), or tennis ball-sized, near Sterling, VA on the 29th of the month. Numerous vehicles suffered broken windshields. Large hail (at least 2 inches or 51 mm) was also reported near Richmond, VA on the 18th of the month.
2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Two tropical cyclones formed in the Atlantic basin in August, both of which affected the Southeast region. On the morning of the 5th, Hurricane Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 1 storm with winds of 80 mph (36 m/s). Storm surge of over 2 feet (0.6 m) was reported across western portions of Florida, including places that are still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Significant beach erosion was reported and numerous roads were closed. After moving inland over the Florida Panhandle and southeast Georgia, Debby weakened to a tropical storm, then moved into the Atlantic Ocean on the 6th. From there, Debby slowly turned back to the north, making a second landfall near Bulls Bay, SC in the early morning hours of the 8th with winds of 50 mph (22 m/s). It then became a tropical depression as it moved northward through the Carolinas and eventually into parts of the Northeast. Tropical storm force winds were recorded from southwest Florida through central North Carolina, leaving more than 300,000 customers without power. Sarasota, FL recorded multiple gusts of 64 mph (29 m/s) on the 4th and 5th, which tied for the third highest gusts on record for August (since 1972). The heavy rain from Debby resulted in catastrophic flash flooding that inundated homes and roadways and forced numerous evacuations and water rescues. Several rivers across the Carolinas remained in flood stage up to two weeks after the storm passed. Thus far, there have been 10 confirmed fatalities from Debby, with damage estimates around $2 billion.
On the 12th of the month, Ernesto became the fifth named tropical cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season as it tracked through the U.S. Virgin Islands, passing just northeast of Puerto Rico as a tropical storm. Hurricane-force wind gusts brought down trees and power lines, which damaged homes and businesses and left many roads impassable. Nearly 750,000 customers lost power across the islands, with over two dozen hospitals operating on generators. Hundreds of thousands of water outages were also reported due to the lack of power. Heavy rains washed away crops and flooded homes and roadways. As it tracked north, Ernesto produced dangerous surf and large waves along the Carolina coast, resulting in three rip current fatalities, and causing a home on the Outer Banks to collapse into the ocean, which was captured on video and shared over social media.
For more information, please visit the Southeast Regional Climate Center Home Page.
High Plains (Information provided by the High Plains Regional Climate Center)
The heat that impacted the northwestern part of the region in July spread south this month, with nearly the entire western half of the High Plains experiencing above-normal temperatures. Parts of Colorado and Wyoming skyrocketed over 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), with areas above 6500 feet (1981 meters) even passing the century mark.
While severe weather was relatively quiet for the region outside of Colorado, several notable events occurred this month. On the 25th, a microburst from a surprise storm occurred during an air show at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, leaving 10 injured and canceling a performance by the Blue Angels. In Wyoming, Devil’s Tower was pummeled by 2.75-inch (6.99 cm) hail and caused significant damage. The National Park Service was forced to close the monument for two days due to the destruction.
Colorado was the epicenter of unusual weather this month. Early in the month, an EF1 tornado with 100 mph (161 km/h) winds carved a 0.92 mile (1.48 kilometers) long path near Pikes Peak. At 10,050 feet (3063 meters), tornadoes do not normally form at such high elevations. Later in the month, the nearby town of Cascade was buried beneath a deep layer of hail. So much had fallen, that it caused a layer of “hail fog” to form.
Temperature
Temperatures were near normal for much of the region this month. Parts of the Dakotas were slightly below normal, while the Front Range into western Nebraska experienced warmer than normal temperatures.
Several locations in the west ranked in the top 10 warmest this month, with Alamosa, Colorado just barely breaking their record. The average temperature was 66.1 degrees F (18.9 degrees C), narrowly topping the previous record of 66.0 degrees F (18.9 degrees C). To the east, Denver ranked 4th warmest, while Pueblo ranked 7th and Colorado Springs tied for 8th. In southeastern Wyoming, Laramie recorded their 2nd warmest August and fell just short of the record set in 2020.
Aided by a prolonged stretch of heat in the West, many locations ranked in the top 5 warmest this summer. In Colorado, Grand Junction broke its record with an average temperature of 80.1 degrees F (26.7 degrees C). Alamosa and Denver ranked 2nd, while Colorado Springs tied with 2021 for 4th. To the north in Wyoming, Laramie broke its record and nearby Rawlins tied with 2022 for 5th. Elsewhere in the region, locations in Nebraska and South Dakota ranked in the top 10.
Precipitation
Precipitation in August was plentiful west of the Rockies this month, with the North American Monsoon in overdrive for western Colorado and into southern Wyoming. Kansas and Nebraska were not as fortunate, with large portions of both states with below normal precipitation.
Concerns about drought in western Colorado were increasing at the beginning of the month, however, monsoon rains alleviated those concerns. Monte Vista observed their wettest August and their wettest month on record, with 4.44 inches (11.28 cm) of rain. Altenbern crushed their record for August and was just short of the all-time monthly record, with 5.26 inches (13.36 cm) of rain. Several Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations in the higher elevations also recorded their wettest August. Multiple stations across the western part of the state also recorded their wettest summer, further highlighting the impact of the monsoon this year.
Outside of Colorado, a few other places received record to near-record amounts of rain this past month. Parts of eastern North Dakota surpassed their monthly precipitation records, with soil moisture percentiles above 95 percent at the end of the month in the area.
With the end of summer, some were more fortunate than others. Dodge City, Kansas recorded its third wettest and most summertime rain totals since 1889, with 17.75 inches (45.09 cm). To the south in Colorado, Alamosa tied with 2017 for the 8th wettest with 4.44 inches (11.28 cm). Eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota were below 50 percent of their normal precipitation this summer. Rapid City ranked 5th driest, with only 2.87 inches falling through the end of August. In Wyoming, Cody recorded less than an inch (2.54 mm) the entire summer.
Drought
Outside of the beneficial rains in Colorado and parts of Kansas, much of the region was dry and drought intensified as a result. Several states experienced a two-category degradation, while the areas that did receive rain improved by two categories. Overall, the region observed an increase of over 13 percent in D0 to D4 (abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions).
Wyoming was hit hardest this month, with extreme drought (D3) introduced and expanded in the northeastern part of the state. Large fires broke out in the state due to persistent dryness and 96 percent of the state is abnormally dry at the end of August.
While parts of Kansas did see improvement, the state observed a 14 percent increase in drought conditions, and 50 percent of the state is being impacted. The north and south-central parts of the state currently have several counties in severe drought (D2), leading to concerns for winter wheat planting.
For more information, please visit the High Plains Regional Climate Center Home Page.
South (Information provided by the Southern Regional Climate Center)
Flash drought developed and intensified in much of the Southern Region. Parts of all six states went from ample moisture to severe drought between July 30 and August 27, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Temperature
Temperatures were above normal in the western portions of the Southern Region, transitioning to near-normal to slightly below normal in the eastern portions. The largest departures from normal for August were recorded in west-central Texas, where temperatures averaged six to eight degrees above normal. Temperatures were above the historic median for all six states in the Southern Region during August, including two top ten warmest: Texas (3rd warmest, out of 130 years), Louisiana (7th warmest), Mississippi (20th warmest), Oklahoma (23rd warmest), Arkansas (45th warmest), and Tennessee (50th warmest). The Southern Region as a whole was 7th warmest on record. The warmest recorded temperature in the Region for August was 116 degrees F, which occurred at Comanche County City Airport, Texas on August 22nd. The coolest recorded temperature in the Region during August was 40 F degrees, which occurred at Mt. Leconte, Tennessee on August 21st. The coolest lowland temperature during July was 48 degrees F, which occurred near Dover, Tennessee on August 31st. There were 17 long-term stations, all in Texas, that set records for highest temperature in July. The largest difference between the old and new records was 3 degrees F at Cope Ranch (112 years of data) which set a record of 115 degrees F on August 20th, breaking the old record of 112 degrees F which was set twelve days earlier. The previous August record was 110 degrees F, set in 2023.
Precipitation
Precipitation was below normal across the majority of the Southern Region during August. Isolated areas of above normal precipitation were recorded across Far West Texas, the Texas Panhandle, Central and Eastern Oklahoma, and west-central Arkansas. Most stations across the Southern Region were at 50 percent of normal precipitation or below for August. Statewide rankings were below normal for the entire Southern Region, including one record and two other top tens: Mississippi (1st driest, out of 130 years), Tennessee (2nd driest), Texas (9th driest), Louisiana (12th driest), Arkansas (24th driest), and Oklahoma (55th driest). The Southern Region as a whole was 5th driest on record. Two stations, both in Oklahoma, accumulated more than nine inches of precipitation during August, one CoCoRaHS and one WBAN: near Bunch (13.04 inches) and at Muskogee Davis Field (9.13 inches). Three stations, all in Oklahoma, had one-day precipitation accumulations over 6.6 inches: near Newcastle (8.23 inches, August 11th), near Norman (7.45 inches, August 11th), and near Bunch, Oklahoma (6.9 inches, August 17th). One long-term station in Oklahoma set a single day accumulation record for August, Oklahoma City Will Rodgers World Airport with 6.59 inches on August 8th, breaking the old record of 5.06 inches set on August 14th, 2018.
Drought/Flooding
As of September 3rd, 66.4 percent of the Southern Region remained free of drought, down from 80.5 percent on August 6th according to the US Drought Monitor. Much of the degradation was across the northern portions of the region extending from the Texas Panhandle east across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Isolated areas of improvement were seen in Central and east central Oklahoma, south Texas, and western Arkansas. Persistent pockets of Extreme and Exceptional Drought remain in Far West and Central Texas, while Extreme Drought emerged in southwestern Oklahoma, Northern Mississippi, and west central Tennessee. Cotton crops in Texas and Oklahoma are still being affected by ongoing warm temperatures and drought conditions, though conditions are better than last season at this time with 23 percent of cotton in Oklahoma in Poor to Very Poor condition (56 percent less than last year) and 31 percent in Texas rated as Poor to Very Poor (30 percent less than last year). Reports of the need to haul water and provide supplemental feed are increasing across Texas and Oklahoma, however, reports are fewer than recent years at the same point in the season.
Notable Weather
August was a relatively quiet month for severe weather across the Southern Region. There were no landfalling tropical systems that impacted the Southern Region during August. There were no confirmed tornadoes in the Southern Region during August. There were 25 hail reports across the Southern Region during August, the largest being 2 inches near Drummond, Oklahoma on August 15th, near Pawhuska, Oklahoma on August 16th, and in Ward, Arkansas on August 18. There were 250 severe wind reports during August, with the fastest being 90 miles per hour: near Flomot, Texas on August 15th and near Alexandria, Louisiana on August 29th.
For more information, please visit the Southern Regional Climate Center Home Page.
West (Information provided by the Western Region Climate Center)
August saw a return to more normal conditions after an exceptionally warm July. Most of the region saw normal temperatures, except for New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. A large chunk of southern California and Nevada saw extremely dry conditions, while northern California and Utah experienced above normal precipitation totals. Drought also dramatically increased across the West with a significant wildfire threat. Currently, there are 67 active large wildfires with the most concentrated in Oregon (23) and Idaho (21).
Temperature
New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, southern Nevada, and the coasts of Oregon and Washington saw temperatures 1 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for the month of August. Record warmth was recorded in three cities in New Mexico: Las Cruces (85 degrees Fahrenheit), 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, Deming (83.3 degrees Fahrenheit), 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, and the El Morro National Monument (69.6 degrees Fahrenheit), 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Also in New Mexico, Albuquerque had its third warmest August at 80.5 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees above normal), Roswell was 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, and Carlsbad was 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Other cities of note include Phoenix, AZ with its third warmest August at 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Flagstaff, AZ at 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Cedar City, UT with its second warmest August at 75.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Woodruff, UT with its second warmest August at 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Las Vegas, NV at 94.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Astoria, OR at 64 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), and Quillayute, WA at 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal).
Precipitation
Almost all of central to southern California and southern Nevada received zero inches of rain for the month of August. Areas in New Mexico recorded below normal precipitation totals, while northern California, Utah, and northwest Washington saw above normal. In New Mexico, Las Cruces recorded 0.19 inches of rain, its second driest in 130 years (11 percent of normal), Gran Quivira recorded 0.63 inches (21 percent of normal), and Deming recorded 0.71 inches (35 percent of normal). In Utah, Panguitch had its second wettest August at 4.95 inches (288 percent of normal), Scipio also had its second wettest August at 3.9 inches (464 percent of normal), and Neola had its third wettest at 2.11 inches (227 percent of normal). Some other cities that had above normal precipitation totals were Eureka, CA (1.29 inches above normal), Potter Valley, CA (0.69 inches above normal), Dunsmuir, CA (1.33 inches above normal), Quillayute, WA (2.17 inches above normal), and Bellingham, WA (1.48 inches above normal).
Drought
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) at the end of August, 36 percent of the West was in drought, a 7 percent uptick from the end of July. Almost the entirety of the West is experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions (D0). Areas of extreme drought (D3) are present in southern New Mexico, northeast Wyoming, western and eastern Montana, and central Washington. Exceptional drought (D4) can be found in western Montana. The greatest drought expansion occurred in Utah and Nevada where now most of the states are in abnormally dry conditions (D0) or moderate drought (D1) with some areas even in severe drought (D2).
Alaska Summary
Alaska saw mostly normal temperatures across the state, except for below normal temperatures in the Southwest and above average in the Southeast. Kotzebue saw temperatures 6 degrees Fahrenheit below normal and Bethel at 4 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. Craig saw its record warmest August at 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal), Ketchikan was 3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, and Yakutat was 2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. For precipitation, the Southwest and Interior Alaska saw precipitation totals of 2 inches or more above normal. Kotzebue saw 4.29 inches (201 percent of normal), Nome saw 6.49 inches (202 percent of normal), Bettles saw 4.76 inches (176 percent of normal), and Wiseman saw a record wet August at 5.07 inches (185 percent of normal). The Anchorage area also recorded above normal precipitation totals with 4.8 inches (164 percent of normal). According to the USDM, one percent of Alaska is currently in drought with all of the spatial extent in the Southeast
Hawaii Summary
Below normal temperatures occurred in Kahului on the island of Maui at 77.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Fahrenheit below normal). The island of Kauai saw near record dryness for the month of August, while Maui saw near record wetness. Lihue on the island of Kauai saw its third driest August at 0.63 inches (27 percent of normal). Kahului on the island of Maui saw its third wettest August at 1.62 inches (306 percent of normal). Drought significantly decreased across Hawaii with now only 21 percent of the state in drought. The highest level of drought present in Hawaii is severe drought (D2) in southwest Maui, central Molokai, western Oahu, and southwest Kauai.
Notable Weather
Phoenix shatters record for consecutive days at or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit: As of September 8th, Phoenix has reached 105 consecutive days with the maximum temperature reaching at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The old record ended on August 24, 1993, with a total of 76 consecutive days. Phoenix is forecasted to continue this streak for at least the next coming week with excessive heat conditions in place.
For more information, please go to the Western Regional Climate Center Home Page.