September 2009 Recap

September 2009 Report courtesy of © 2009 Planalytics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For more information on Planalytics WeatherCall report please call 1-800-882-5881 or visit www.planalytics.com

Across the continent, the month ended the 4th warmest in 50 years. In Canada, it was the warmest on record since 1961. North America was drier than last year, with Canada recording the 2nd driest September in at least 50 years. The U.S. was near the long term average, but drier than last year.

Temperature:

While the month trended warmer than normal, many major population centers experienced cool conditions for September. The Northeast region experienced its
coolest September in 3 years. Boston recorded its coolest September in 14 years. The coolest anomalies across the continent were located in Texas and the southern Plains, with Amarillo, TX reporting a “top ten” coolest September in 50 years. The warm conditions were focused on Canada, which reported its warmest September on record since 1961. The U.S. recorded a monthly temperature warmer than average and last year, although regional temperature differences were notable. The Northwest region was 2nd warmest in 50 years, and the Southwest Coast region was 3rd warmest. In the US: Reno, NV, Boise, ID, Missoula, MT, Duluth, MN, and Minneapolis, MN; and in Canada: Calgary, AB, Saskatchewan, SK, and Winnipeg, MB all recorded their warmest September in 50 years. Edmonton, AB recorded its 2nd warmest September in 50 years, and Salt Lake City had its 3rd warmest.

Precipitation:

Although the month ended drier than typical and to last year for the continent as a whole, regional differences were quite apparent, particularly north vs. south.
The West North Central Region recorded its driest September since 2000 and 7th driest in 50 years. The following cities also had a record dry month: Minneapolis, MN driest in 50 years; Charleston, SC, Calgary, AB and Quebec City, QB 2nd driest; Duluth, MN 3rd driest; Portland, ME, Missoula, MT, and Edmonton, AB 4th driest; and Montreal, QB 5th driest in 50 years. Conversely, the South Central region had its 4th wettest September in 50 years, and the Southeast had its 7th wettest. Dallas, TX, Memphis, TN, and Nashville, TN all reported their 2nd wettest September in 50 years. Atlanta recorded its 3rd wettest, with areas around the Atlanta metro recording 15 to 20 inches on average. Fort Smith, AR reported 4th wettest.

Significant Weather Events:

• Hurricane Jimena, which made landfall into the southern Baja peninsula as a category 3 storm, spread moisture into the southwest U.S. from 2-4 September. Rainfall totals were copious mid- to late-week across the Rockies, Plains, and Midwest.
• From 19-21 September, an average of 5 to 10 inches of rain fell in the South.  Atlanta was hardest hit, where an average of 10 to 15 inches of rain fell, resulting in massive flooding and significant clean-up efforts.
• Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Fred both formed in the Atlantic during the peak of the hurricane season, although neither impacted the U.S. mainland.
• The final week of the month (Sept. 27-Oct. 3) was the coldest final week of September since 2000 across North America, getting consumers into the fall mindset.