For the 16th consecutive year, we in the state climate office have evaluated the myriad daily, monthly, and annual observations gathered across New Jersey during the course of the year to choose what we feel were the most significant and impactful 10 weather and climate events of 2024. More about each event can be found in the monthly narratives posted on our website. You might be tempted to rearrange the rankings, particularly as some of the events on the list may have affected you more than others ranked higher. Or perhaps you best recall one that didn't make the list.

As spring turns to summer, all in Jersey can be pleased that water supplies are in good shape. Also, while it took some time to become established, by late May, warmer temperatures brought out summer wardrobes. Spring (March–May) conditions will be covered later in this report, but first a look at May. As the title of the monthly portion of this narrative suggests, May 2024 never established a consistent atmospheric pattern. There were plenty of episodes where light to moderate showers dotted the state, but never a broad soaker.

Overview

You would never have guessed it by looking at most days, with some wet, some dry, some warm, some cold, but put it all together and a rather normal April temperature- and precipitation-wise emerged from quite a variety of days and weeks. This is often the case during a transitional month (mid-fall or mid-spring), but this month took it to a bit of an extreme. Toss in a partial solar eclipse and an earthquake and it was quite the month for all who enjoy observing our fascinating world and solar system.