From record-breaking heat and a historic hurricane to heavy rain, flooding, and early frosts, the month delivered the full spectrum of seasonal change.
Even as the calendar turned deeper into fall, summer made a few surprise comebacks. Temperatures climbed well above average across much of the country, with several Tempest stations logging highs that rivaled late-season heat records. For many, it felt like the season just couldn’t quite let go of summer. The highest recorded temperature for the month of October by a Tempest station in North America was 106.88 degrees Fahrenheit, which came from a remotely located station in California.
By late October, though, cooler air started winning the battle. The Tempest Network recorded the first widespread frosts and freezing mornings of the season, a sure sign that winter’s edge was creeping closer. In just a matter of days, mild afternoons gave way to breath-visible mornings and crisp, clear nights. The coldest temperature recorded by a Tempest station in North America came from a station in Healy, Alaska at -7.6F.
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