National Overview:
Temperatures were near average nationally for
September. Persistent upper-level wind and pressure patterns were
responsible for below normal monthly averages in the Central Plains
to the Southeast, and warmer temperatures in the West and extreme
northeastern U.S. Precipitation was light in much of the West, but was greater than average for many states in the East. Hurricane Isabel contributed to anomalously high precipitation totals from North Carolina into the Ohio Valley and Northeast. For additional details, see the Monthly Highlights section. For details and graphics on weather events across the U.S. and the globe go to NCDC's Global Hazards page. The eastern North Pacific hurricane season has had near average cyclone activity for 2003 thus far, with 3 tropical systems developing in September: Tropical Storm Kevin, and Hurricanes Linda and Marty. See the East Pacific Hurricane page for more details. (Available on October 8th). In the Atlantic Basin, 5 tropical cyclones developed during September and a 6th, Fabian, developed in August and continued into September. Hurricane Isabel caused serious damage to the east coast of the United States in the middle of the month. Other storms in September were Tropical Storm Henri, Tropical Depression #14, Hurricane Juan and Hurricane Kate. See the Atlantic Hurricane page for further details. Indices used to determine the state of ENSO suggest that the Equatorial Pacific is in a neutral ENSO phase and Sea Surface Temperatures are now near normal across the eastern equatorial Pacific. To see the latest NOAA advisory and typical impacts of a La Nina or El Nino episode for the U.S., go to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. |
Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:
National:
Regional and Statewide:
See NCDC's Monthly Extremes web-page for weather and climate records for the month of September. |