10/24/2024

The Southern Region experienced another dry week, with most areas remaining rain-free since the beginning of October. A cold front brought cooler temperatures and drier conditions to Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and eastern parts of Oklahoma and Texas. Middle atmospheric conditions subdued any lifting performed by the front’s movement into the region, as cold fronts are a lifting mechanism for thunderstorms under favorable conditions. Weeks without rainfall most impacted South Texas and Oklahoma as over 8% of the Region intensified in drought to (D1) Moderate conditions or higher. The sole county to ameliorate in drought is Cimarron County in Oklahoma, as storms from New Mexico moved into the area on October 24th and produced 2 inches of rain.

Looking to the future, the Atlantic Hurricane Season is ending next week. Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are cooling, and the subtropical jet stream is strengthening and shifting slightly southward, indicating unfavorable conditions for tropical weather impacts for the Southern Region as the Northern Hemisphere winter approaches.