Record Warmth Closes Out October in Western, Central and Southern U.S.

Chris Dolce
Published: October 26,2016
Record highs will be threatened in many locations as widespread above-average warmth encompasses portions of the western, central and southern United States during the final days of October. Some cities could even see their warmest temperatures for so late in the season.
This continues what has been a much warmer than average month for the vast majority of American's east of the Rockies, including a mid-October warm spell that shattered records.
Below are details on the forecast temperatures through Halloween along with perspective on how warm it's been so far this month.
(MORE: U.S. Warm Records Trouncing Cold Records)

Thursday's Forecast

Thursday's Forecast Highs Compared to Average

• Highs will be 10 to 30 degrees above average from the Southwest into the Rockies, Plains and parts of the Deep South.
• Upper 90s to near 100 degree readings are possible in the Desert Southwest.
• 70s and 80s will grip the South and Plains states.
• Potential record highs (current record is shown): Colorado Springs (79 degrees) | Phoenix (98 degrees) | Salt Lake City (76 degrees) | Tucson (96 degrees)
• Phoenix may equal or exceed its warmest temperature so late in the year with a temperature of 98 degrees or greater.
• Tucson could see its warmest temperature so late in the season if the high reaches 95 degrees or greater.

(MORE: 10-Day Forecast Maps)

Friday's Forecast

Forecast Highs Friday Compared to Average

• Highs will be 10 to 25 degrees above average from the Southwest into the Rockies, Plains, Upper Midwest, and parts of the Deep South.
• Low 70s are possible as far north as southern Minnesota and South Dakota.
• 80s will encompass the central Plains and South.
• 90s will continue in the Desert Southwest.
• Potential record highs (current record is shown): Colorado Springs (77 degrees) | Lincoln, Nebraska (76 degrees) | Wichita, Kansas (83 degrees)

Saturday's Forecast

• Highs are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees above average from the Southwest to the Ohio Valley, southern Great Lakes and Deep South. Cooler air will briefly return to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
• 70s may reach as far north as Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
• 80s and perhaps a few 90s are forecast in the South.
• Many locations in the South will threaten daily record highs.
• Atlanta and Birmingham could flirt with their warmest highs so late in the season if they hit 86 degrees and 88 degrees, respectively.

Forecast Highs and Current Daily Record Highs

Sunday's Forecast

• Highs are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees above average from the Southwest to the Rockies, Plains, Ohio Valley, Southeast and southern mid-Atlantic. Cooler temperatures will briefly surge into the Great Lakes.
• 70s are in the forecast for the central Plains, Ohio Valley and southern mid-Atlantic.
• 80s and possibly a few 90s will be widespread in the South.
• The potential for record highs will once again be mainly confined to the South.

(MORE: La Nina May Limit Drought Relief in the South This Winter)

Monday's Forecast (Halloween)

Forecast Highs Compared to Average Monday

• Highs 10 to 25 degrees above average will surge back into the Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes, while continuing to encompass parts of the Plains and South.
• 70s are possible as far north as Illinois and Iowa.
• 80s will once again rule the central Plains, mid-Mississippi Valley and South.
• Record highs could be numerous from the central Plains into the Southeast, making it the warmest Halloween on record in some locations.

(MORE: Halloween Forecast)

How Warm It's Been So Far in October 2016

Many locations in the central and eastern United States have already experienced a very warm October.
This includes a large number of locations that will see warmer-than-average temperatures through Halloween. The only exception is the Northeast, where it will be near or even slightly below average through Halloween.

Temperatures compared to average Oct. 1-24, 2016. Areas shaded orange and brown have seen temperatures the farthest above average overall.
(Oregon State University Prism Climate Group)

Here are a few of the cities that were seeing a top five warmest October through Monday, according to the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

• Midland, Texas: Warmest Oct. 1-24 on record
• Louisville, Kentucky: 3rd warmest Oct. 1-24 on record (tie)
• El Paso, Texas: 3rd warmest Oct. 1-24 on record
• Huntsville, Alabama: 3rd warmest Oct. 1-24 on record
• Atlanta: 4th warmest Oct. 1-24 on record

MORE: America's 50 Hottest Winter Cities