Source: Corey Davis, NC CLIMATE OFFICE, 11/2/21


A cool end to September proved to be only a brief preview of fall rather than a sign of the changing seasons, as October overwhelmingly featured above-normal temperatures across the state.

For the past month, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reports a preliminary statewide average temperature of 64.8°F, or our 5th-warmest October since 1895.

Locally, it ranked as one of the top ten warmest Octobers at many weather stations, including the 4th-warmest in Asheville and Charlotte, and the 3rd-warmest in Raleigh. Based on average temperatures, this October was in line with October 2019, which was notable for hundred-degree heat early in the month.

While we never got that hot last month, the warm weather took its toll through sheer persistence. A series of high pressure systems parked over the Southeast US made for many sunny days with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal.

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