As 26 American states mark driest October on record, South Africa hit by heatwave with temperatures reaching 42.6C
Across the US, a combination of weeks of dry conditions and record-breaking temperatures has led to the emergence of “flash droughts”. A persistent area of high pressure over North America has limited rainfall across much of the country, with 100 weather stations across 26 states marking their driest October on record. This is despite high rainfall totals from Hurricanes Helene and Milton across south-eastern states in late September and early October. In the southern Appalachians, where Helene dropped nearly 800mm of rain, some weather stations have since reported no measurable precipitation. As of 28 October, data indicates that an eighth of the US experienced zero rainfall that month, affecting major cities such as New York, Houston, and San Francisco.
Compounding the situation, high temperatures across the US have further stressed already parched landscapes. For example, in the High Plains and the south, temperatures soared 6C to 7C above normal during the last week of October. As a result, according to the National Drought Center, 77.8% of the US population were experiencing “abnormally dry” or “drought” conditions by the end of the month. Continue reading…
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