End of Meteorological Fall

 

Meteorologists have a different benchmark for measuring seasons than the standard astronomical calendar most people are familiar with.  For the sake of climate records, meteorologists break up the four seasons into equal, three-month segments.  For example, “meteorological fall” began on September 1 and comes to a close tomorrow, November 30.  Meteorological winter officially gets underway on Thursday and continues through the end of February.  Since the fall comes to its unofficial conclusion this week, we can reflect upon the D.C. Area weather headlines of the last three months.

November 2022 had very streaky weather conditions.  The first 12 days of the month were more than 10° warmer than average with record warmth on November 6, 7 and 11.  The month also got off to a dry start with only 0.70” of rain through the first half.  A hard pivot ensued with below average temperatures from November 13 – 22, including D.C.’s coldest November temperature (26°) in three years on November 21. Ultimately, the Nation’s Capital will finish with above average November temperatures and near average rainfall.

The Nation’s Capital had a very cool and wet start to October.  Measurable rainfall occurred on the first five days of last month and coincided with below average temperatures.  There was a rare record low-high temperature of 55° on October 4.  Although temperatures rebounded, including a September-like high of 81° on October 7, last month finished 2.6° cooler than average.  Consequently, October 2022 was D.C.’s coolest since 2003, according to NOAA.  It was also a drier than average month, giving Washington, D.C. its first cooler and drier than average October since 2015.

September 2022 finished with near average temperatures in the Nation’s Capital.  It was also the 11^th consecutive September to feature 90° heat with two days in the 90s.  There was no record heat or cold.  However, D.C.’s first temperature in the 50s since June occurred on September 16.  The remnants of destructive Hurricane Ian approached the Nation’s Capital on September 30 and brought appreciable rainfall and gusty winds.

The 2022 fall season will finish with near average temperatures in the Nation’s Capital.  That’s largely due to how cool October was compared to November’s milder than average weather.  It has also been a drier than average fall, with below average rainfall in September and October.  Depending on how much rain occurs tomorrow, November could also finish with slightly below average rainfall in Washington, D.C.  NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects December to get off to a relatively benign start with near average temperatures and rainfall.