National Overview:
Conditions were generally wetter than average in
the East and drier than average across much of the South and High
Plains states for May 2003. Rainfall was heavy across the Southeast
and eastern Midwest as a series of storms impacted the regions
early in the month. Parts of the South and Southwest were warmer
than average for the month, while states in the Mid Atlantic region
and Northeast were generally cooler than average for May.
Several outbreaks of severe weather occurred across parts of the
Midwest stretching into the Tennessee Valley in the first 10 days
of May. An incredible 84
tornadoes were reported on May 4 and 5
and at least 38 people in Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee were
killed as a result of the storms. Further storms during May 6-10
led to a federal disaster declaration covering the entire state of
Oklahoma and a total of 42 people died in the first 10 days of May
from the severe weather. From May 1-May 10, 412
tornadoes occurred, breaking the record for the most tornadoes
ever to have occurred during a ten-day period. More details and
graphics on this unusual outbreak can be found on NCDC's Global Hazards
page.
Snow cover generally retreated northward across Canada during May.
Some further heavy snow fell in parts of Colorado, but overall
across the U.S., very little snowfall activity occurred. For
monthly totals and a seasonal summary see NCDC's Snow Summary page.
Hurricane season in the eastern North Pacific officially begins on
May 1st, and the first tropical storm of 2003 (Andres) formed on
May 20th. Maximum windspeeds reached 40 knots (46 mph) and Andres
never threatened land. It weakened back to a tropical depression on
the 25th. The Atlantic season does not officially begin until June
1st, though some pre-season activity was recorded in April leading
to the first named storm of the season for the Atlantic. See the
East Pacific hurricane page
and the Atlantic Hurricane page
for further details.
La Nina conditions continued to develop across the tropical Pacific
indicating that associated climate impacts will likely be felt in
many areas of the world, including the United States, by the fall.
It is not yet clear how strong the La Nina event will be, but to
see the
latest NOAA advisory and
typical impacts of a La Nina episode for the U.S., go to
NOAA's
Climate Prediction Center. |
Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and
precipitation ranks and
values are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when
the final data are processed.
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