Never doubt that this author can find something interesting associated with the weather and climate of any month or season. However, truth be told, sometimes what transpires does not rise to the level of exceptional interest among those not infected with the weather bug. For the most part, this report’s title holds true for this November and fall. Certainly, there was many a gusty day this past month. Also, drought concerns failed to abate in a season where each month saw below normal statewide precipitation, making it 13 of the past 15 months with deficient precipitation. However, despite low precipitation totals, there were many dull, cloudy November days, New Jersey’s fall (fortunately) escaped any tropical storms, and just one notable early-season coastal storm occurred, albeit generating coastal flooding with associated damage.

With the warm end of September, followed by four days in the 80°s early in October, one might have wondered when fall weather was going to arrive in New Jersey. By now, we know that by mid-month a transition to cooler weather arrived. Meanwhile, there were two notable coastal nor’easters, indicative of a transition to a cool season weather regime. Unfortunately, each resulted in notable coastal flooding and beach erosion. Yet most of NJ remains modestly to moderately dry.

“Holding On.” Perhaps you’re a bit perplexed attempting to interpret the title of this month’s report. Something with respect to temperature? Certainly, the warm season hardly relinquished its grip on the Garden State during the past month. September temperatures averaged above normal, mainly due to the second half of the month being warmer than the first half. Normally the second half averages approximately 5.0°–5.5° cooler than the first, however this year’s second half was 1.0°–1.5° milder than the first half in the north and about 2° milder in the south. Something regarding precipitation? It was the second consecutive month with below-normal statewide precipitation, with eleven of the past thirteen months having below-normal precipitation. The month ended with most of north Jersey categorized on the US Drought Monitor as being Abnormally Dry or in Moderate Drought, and October 1st found the NJ Department of Environmental Protection declaring a Drought Watch across the entire state.

Following a remarkably dry, record-breaking October, and the two driest consecutive months on record, you had to wonder if November would have anything of note to add to a rather peculiar fall. In short, it did not disappoint. Drought continued (but it precipitated!), warmth prevailed, and a November snowfall record was established for a single storm and location. More on fall 2024 will be presented below. First, a recap of November conditions.

November Overview

The dry first three weeks of November kept everyone waiting and wondering if a record dry month might be at hand along with increasing drought concerns. To the rescue came two rain events on the 21st–22nd and 26th to bring the monthly average precipitation to a rather respectable total. The statewide average of 2.68” was 0.68” below normal, ranking 52nd driest of the past 129 Novembers. Unlike recent months, it was the coastal northern counties that were driest, while the central north was wettest (Figure 1).

Overview

Foggy mornings, clear days, four modest rain events, and most locations yet registering a fall freeze. This all speaks to a rather quiet weather October, thus the title of this report. The rather dry conditions resulted in statewide monthly precipitation averaging just 2.16” (Figure 1). This was 2.03” below normal and ranked as the 32nd driest October since records commenced in 1895. Under an inch fell in the southwest, while only the northeast and northern coast saw totals close to or above normal.

Overview

Fall and spring months are considered to be seasonal transition ones. At times, the change of season takes place rather slowly. Then there are months like this past September when the turn is quite abrupt. September 2023 began with the hottest day and week of 2023. Several rainy periods, some with severe storms, ensued as temperatures began to decline and Hurricane Lee, while remaining far offshore, brought rough surf and some clouds to NJ.

November Overview

Last month’s report spoke of how “classic” the weather was during October. November’s weather could be classified as being anything but such. The month began with perhaps the warmest first ten days of November on record in the Garden State, an interval that ranked up there with early November 2020. Then came winter-like temperatures for about ten days leading up to Thanksgiving before the month ended on a closer-to-normal note.

Overview

There are years when many say that New Jersey didn’t experience “classic” fall weather. This October is not one of those years, as the month included rain, wind, and coastal flooding from the persistent remnants of a hurricane, many locations received their first frost and freezing temperatures to end the growing season, and there were days with a cloud-free deep-blue sky. October certainly showed its true fall colors.

Overview

Following a hot and dry summer, the questions of the day in September were when the temperature would begin to cool and would more abundant rainfall arrive. Signs of a rainfall resurgence were mixed, with drought conditions diminishing in spots but worsening in others. The temperature answer came in almost a flash on the 22nd (the first day of astronomical fall!) when a powerful cold front sent the thermometer quickly downward with an early-fall-like pattern arriving and remaining through month’s end.