According to the Wisconsin state climatologist, the latest data indicates that September was the third warmest on record.
According to Steve Vavrus in an interview with WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” September was an unusually strange month. He emphasized that it was also one of the top 10 driest months on record, dating back to the 1890s.
Minnesota experienced its warmest September on record, marking a trend that is being observed across the Midwest. This is the highest temperature recorded since the state began keeping track of weather data in 1873.
He recently appeared on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” to discuss the peculiar weather patterns.
Rob Ferrett asks why the weather in September was so unusual.
According to Steve Vavrus, a warming climate is one of the long-term factors contributing to a warm September. He explains that as our seasons are getting warmer overall, a warm September is not considered unusual in that context.
The extent of this situation was undoubtedly extraordinary, and much of it can be attributed to a circulation pattern that greatly favored warm and dry conditions. We experienced an abnormally long-lasting high pressure system situated in eastern Canada, which hindered the usual rainfall systems from reaching our area.
SV: Drought has emerged as a growing concern in Wisconsin. Initially, it was not a focal point as the state experienced excessive rainfall during the summer. However, there has been a steady shift towards drier conditions, particularly in September.
In the northern half of the state, drought has become a serious issue. Northeast Wisconsin, in particular, has been classified as experiencing severe drought. Some areas in this region have not received any substantial rainfall for over a month.
“How problematic is the unusual weather for farmers?”
September has been a great month for farming in many ways. The weather has been particularly favorable for harvesting due to the dry conditions, and we have been fortunate to avoid any early frosts.
Last year, we experienced an unusual pattern of weather events. We began with an unprecedented amount of rainfall during the initial months, followed by a period of severe drought. Contrastingly, this year started with a prolonged drought, only to be followed by heavy rainfall causing record-breaking floods.
And now, we find ourselves in the midst of another drought. Such unpredictable weather patterns pose significant challenges for everyone, particularly farmers. It is becoming increasingly evident that these erratic weather patterns are likely indicative of the effects of climate change.