We are already halfway through May, so let’s take a look at the climate so far this month. The maps from the High Plains Regional Climate Center show that most of the region has been cooler than normal this month so far while rainfall has been less than normal almost everywhere. The exception is Florida, which has been warmer than normal because the persistent front that keep temperatures in our northern states cool was often situated near the Georgia-Florida border, keeping the cool are from reaching well into Florida. The accumulated degree days from April 1 to mid-May have been slightly lower than last year but still farther ahead then 2021 and 2022 due to the very warm conditions in April. Cooler than normal temperatures are likely to continue to the end of the month according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, which rainfall is the most likely to be wetter than normal along the East Coast and over much of Florida. That should improve drought conditions there.
