Fall 2024 is the warmest on record and we are on track to be the warmest year on record in the United States.

Written by Meteorologist Mary Wasson

Last updated 12/9/2024, 6:57:06 PM

We just concluded the Meteorological Fall last month, which turned out to be the warmest on record across the contiguous United States. According to NOAA’s 130-year climate record, the three months of September, October, and November have recorded an average fall temperature of 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which is over 4 degrees above the normal average.

Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin experienced their warmest falls on record, while an additional 18 states ranked among the top three warmest falls.

While the drought has worsened across the United States since early September, the overall data only shows a little more than half an inch below normal. However, it ranked the third driest September - November period on record.

U.S. Drought on September 3rd

U.S. Drought on November 26th

We have some good news though, according to the December 3 U.S. Drought Monitor Report,  approximately 44% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, down nearly 11% from the end of October.

November 2024 brought several significant weather events across the country. In the Central Plains, rounds of heavy rain, flooding, high winds, and tornadoes were reported in parts of Oklahoma and Missouri. Additionally, a powerful bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest, producing winds of up to 70 mph and leaving many people without power for several days. The storm also resulted in 2 to 3 feet of snow in the higher elevations of Oregon and Washington.

Also, this year-to-date period is running as the nation’s warmest on record, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. 

With just one month left in 2024, the year-to-date average temperature is 57.1 degrees F which is 3.3 degrees above average. So far this year, 22 states had their warmest January–November on record.

Be sure to check back at the end of the year for the final count to see if 2024 will enter the history books.