8/25/2024 - 8/31/2024

Climate in the News:

As the first month of meteorological fall begins, the Climate Prediction Center has issued their temperature and precipitation outlook for this September. In terms of temperature, Oklahoma, Texas, and areas along the Gulf Coast can expect temperatures above normal. Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee have an equal chance of temperatures below or above normal. In terms of precipitation, things look promising for the Region, with the highest chance for above-normal precipitation in West Texas where severe drought is ongoing. States where above-normal precipitation totals are forecasted are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and southeast Arkansas. Meanwhile, the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas have equal chances to see above or below-normal precipitation totals.

Weather Synopsis:

Storms from Thursday morning northwest of Louisiana created an outflow boundary that advanced southeast through Louisiana. As this boundary moved it acted as a focal point for the initiation of showers and thunderstorms across Louisiana.

Temperature:

Overall, summer days in August are hot across most of the region. High humidity levels are present near the coast due to the prevailing southerly winds that bring moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

Last week in the Southern Region was warm with temperatures slightly above normal. The greatest departures from normal were seen in the northern portions of the region. Weekly average temperatures in Northern Tennessee were as much as six degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Frequent thunderstorms in southeast Texas brought cooler-than-normal temperatures last week with rain-cooled air and cloud cover. Overall weekly average temperatures were their hottest in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, almost 90 degrees, and coolest in Big Bend at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Precipitation:

With the majority of the region being in a humid subtropical climate, rainfall is common at any point of the year. Frequently, during the summer months, sea breezes initiate thunderstorms and rain showers, which are quite common along the coastal areas.

While many areas of the Southern Region remained dry again last week several areas saw some much-needed rain. Early in the week, thunderstorms popped up along the southern states as a small-scale upper-level disturbance advanced westward. Later in the week, the Gulf States saw daily rainfall from sea-breeze-initiated thunderstorms moving inland. The largest daily accumulation was via CoCoRaHS in Medina County, TX where 4.20 inches of rain fell on Thursday.