NJ State Climatologist: October 2013 was mostly tranquil
We escaped October 2013 without a major weather story at the end of the month.
Third time’s a charm?
October 29, 2011 brought a crippling winter storm to the northern portion of the New Jersey, while on the same date in 2012, Superstorm Sandy roared ashore, impacting the entire state.
“Following the past two October 29ths, it was wonderful to see sunny skies and seasonable maximum temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 40°s in the northwest to the low to mid 60°s in south this 29th,” wrote Dr. David A. Robinson, the New Jersey State Climatologist, in his October 2013 summary.
October 2013 was mostly tranquil — despite a few systems during the early and middle portions of the month — and overall warmer and drier than normal, according to Robinson’s report.
Some highlights from the report:
The statewide monthly average temperature of 57.1° registered 2.3° above normal, tying 1950 and 1951 as the 20th mildest October since record keeping began in 1895. The first week of the month featured summer-like temperatures.
The vast majority of the state was drier than normal, except for the far southeastern corner. Middle Township in Cape May County registered the highest rainfall amount (6.61″), while Tenafly saw the least (0.41″). An average of 2.07″ inches or rain fell statewide, coming in 1.86″ below normal, resulting in the 5th driest October in the past 119 years.
October 4 was the hottest day, with New Brunswick registering high temperatures of 88° and 10 other stations 87°.
October 26 saw the coldest morning, with Walpack and Pequest registering 21° and 29 stations ranged between 24°-32°.
A cold front moved through on October 7, resulting in severe weather in the central and northern portions of the state, including an EF-1 tornado in Paramus.
A stubborn strong area of low pressure meandered off the coast between the 9th and 12th, resulting in heavy surf, strong winds, minor to moderate coastal flooding, and heavy rain in portions of South Jersey (the most in Cape May County).
While November has been quiet, it’s obviously still early, let’s sit back and watch how it plays out.
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