October 2011 Climate Summary

Central Indiana
October 2011
Climate Summary
 
63rd Warmest on record at Indianapolis
57th Wettest on record at Indianapolis
Temperatures
As typical for the Autumn season, the month was characterized by wide swings in temperature from nearly week to week.  October started out cool for the first several days with much of the area experiencing temperatures nearly 10 degrees below normal. This was due to a persistent upper level low pressure system that lingered across the northeastern part of the country. This system finally departed the area and a strong ridge of high pressure built in, allowing for above normal temperatures through the 13th. Many areas saw highs in the low 80s for a portion of this period, which would be the last for the month. A series of low pressure systems and associated cold fronts brought central Indiana back below normal from the 17th to the 22nd.   Part of this period was marked by highs only making it in the mid to upper 40s – a shift of about 35 degrees from less than 2 weeks before. A brief warm up and return of highs in the low 70s occurred by the 26th ahead of the next cold front. The month finished out on a cool note with mostly below normal temperatures. Central Indiana experienced the coldest temperatures of the season so far on the morning of the 30th, as much of the area dipped down into the upper 20s. This was a chilly reminder that Winter will be knocking on our door before too long.
 
Site
October 2011 Avg Temp
October 2011 Difference from Normal
Highest
Temperature
Lowest Temperature
Indianapolis
55.7
 +0.7
83 on 7
31 on 30
Lafayette
55.0
 +0.7
86 on 7
29 on 30
Muncie
53.2
 -0.6
82 on 7 and 8
26 on 30
Terre Haute
54.2
 0.0
83 on 7
28 on 30
Bloomington
53.8
 -0.8
83 on 7
27 on 30
Shelbyville
54.6
 +0.4
85 on 7
28 on 30
Indy – Eagle Crk.
53.2
 -1.5
80 on 8
29 on 30
 
At Indianapolis, there were 13 days with below normal average temperatures, 15 days with above normal average temperatures and 3 days with normal average temperatures.
 

October 2011 was the 63rd warmest in the Indianapolis area since 1871.

 

 
Precipitation

October monthly rainfall varied from less than 1 inch to nearly 8 inches in Indiana. Much of central and southern Indiana received near normal monthly rainfall for October of 2 to 4 inches.
The least amount of rain during October fell along and west of U.S. Highway 41 in far western Indiana north of Terre Haute. The most rain occurred in portions of Porter and LaPorte counties in far northern Indiana.
All of October’s rain fell after the 11th.   A November-like storm from late on the 17th through the 20th provided much of the rainfall for the state during October. Widespread rains of 1 to 4 inches fell during this time. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches fell in portions of southwest Indiana on the 12th and 13th, northwest Indiana on the 13th and southern Indiana on the 26th and 27th.
Rainfall during October and the transition to cooler weather eliminated drought conditions in all of the state by the 20th.   This is a complete reversal from a year ago when drought conditions prevailed in all of Indiana.
 
 
Site
October 2011 Precipitation
October 2011 Difference from Normal
Wettest Day
Longest Dry Stretch
Indianapolis
2.82
-0.30
1.33” on 19
12 days 1-12
Lafayette
2.49
-0.40
1.26” on 19
11 days 2-12
Muncie
3.31
+0.39
1.62” on 19
12 days 1-12
Terre Haute
3.79
+0.22
1.24” on 19
11 days 1-11
Bloomington
3.40
-0.13
1.17” on 19
11 days 1-11
Shelbyville
2.90
-0.21
1.45” on 19
12 days 1-12
Indy – Eagle Crk.
3.18
+0.07
1.28” on 19
12 days 1-12
                            

October 2011 was the 57th wettest in the Indianapolis area since 1871.

 

 
Severe Weather
 
There were no severe weather events during October across central Indiana.
 
For information on previous severe weather events, visit the Storm Prediction Center “Severe Weather Event Summaries” website at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/.
 
Miscellaneous
 
The maximum wind gust at Indianapolis International Airport was 39 mph out of the west-northwest on the 20th as a strong low pressure system developed across the Great Lakes. Fog or haze was reported at Indianapolis on 10 days during the month. There was no thunder reported.
 
November 2011 Outlook
 
The official outlook for November 2011 from the Climate Prediction Center indicates a greater chance of above normal temperatures for central Indiana. At Indianapolis, the average temperature for the month is 43.6 degrees. The outlook also calls for a slightly greater chance for above normal precipitation. The average precipitation for November at Indianapolis is 3.70” and 0.7” of snowfall.
  
 
Data prepared by the Indianapolis Forecast Office.
 


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