The preliminary climate summary maps for the Southeast show that most of the region was cooler and drier than normal for the month of September 2023. The overnight minimum temperatures were relatively cooler than the daytime maximum temperatures, in part because when it is dry, temperatures are more likely to keep falling overnight until sunrise. The dry conditions contributed to expansion of areas of drought and abnormally dry conditions across many parts of the region. The area of wetter than normal conditions in eastern NC and VA was due to the passage of Tropical Storm Ophelia last week. Dry conditions are expected to continue through the first week or two of October.
