November 2009 3rd Warmest in U.S.

Following a cold October, U.S. temperatures rebounded strongly in November to reach their third warmest levels on record. The preliminary analysis for November 2009, posted by the National Climatic Data Center this morning, shows that the monthly average of 46.5°F was 4.0°F above the 20th Century average. Regionally, the Southwest and South were above normal, and the West North Central through the Northeast were all much above normal. Only the Northwest, West, and Southeast were near normal.

Much above normal temperatures were widespread on an individual state basis:

• Record warmest: Delaware
  
• Second warmest: Wisconsin, New Jersey
  
• Third warmest: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Iowa, and North Dakota

Temperatures were in the top 10 warmest for 18 other states, and no individual state was below normal.

Precipitation was heavy in the Southeast, Mid Atlantic, and northern New England, but most of the country was drier than average in November. Nationally, it was the 18th driest November since 1895. Virginia had its second wettest November, and North and South Carolina had their sixth and ninth wettest Novembers, respectively. On the other hand, nine states had precipitation in the top ten driest Novembers, and 25 states in all were below average.

Images (click to enlarge): U.S. November average temperature since 1895, statewide temperature and precipitation ranks for November 2009; from National Climatic Data Center