Record-Breaking Dry Spells Plague These 25 Cities
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/29022596-150x150.jpgWhile hurricanes Helene and Milton delivered record rainfall to large swaths of the Southeast last month, in recent weeks much of the country has seen historically low precipitation totals. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 77.5% of the country was experiencing some level of drought as of mid-month, the second worst October drought conditions in the past 25 years.
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Many cities have gone more than a month without measurable precipitation and are currently setting records for the longest streaks of continuous days without rain. Midwestern states like Iowa and Missouri are home to clusters of several cities currently experiencing historic dry spells.
To determine the cities experiencing record dry spells this month, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on precipitation streaks from the NOAA. Cities with at least 25,000 residents were ranked based on the number of days without recorded precipitation as of October 19, 2024. Only cities where the current streak of days without rainfall is the current record streak were included. Data is at the station level and was matched to the nearest city of at least 25,000 residents within 50 miles. Data on normal October precipitation totals is based on NOAA data for 1901 to 2000 and is at the county level.
25. Manhattan, KS
Time without precipitation: 24 days
Normal October precipitation: 2.3 inches
Total population: 54,287
24. Ames, IA
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Time without precipitation: 24 days
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Normal October precipitation: 2.3 inches
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Total population: 66,265
23. Woodstock, IL
- Time without precipitation: 24 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.6 inches
- Total population: 26,084
22. Fayetteville, AR
- Time without precipitation: 24 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.8 inches
- Total population: 95,022
21. Springfield, MO
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.5 inches
- Total population: 168,873
20. Joplin, MO
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.6 inches
- Total population: 51,848
19. Jefferson City, MO
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.4 inches
- Total population: 42,644
18. Omaha, NE
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.0 inches
- Total population: 489,201
17. Lee's Summit, MO
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.2 inches
- Total population: 101,728
16. Columbia, MO
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.2 inches
- Total population: 126,172
15. Mankato, MN
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 1.9 inches
- Total population: 44,444
14. Sioux City, IA
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 1.9 inches
- Total population: 85,469
13. Rockford, IL
- Time without precipitation: 25 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.6 inches
- Total population: 148,173
12. Winona, MN
- Time without precipitation: 27 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.3 inches
- Total population: 26,083
11. Cedar Rapids, IA
- Time without precipitation: 29 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.4 inches
- Total population: 136,929
10. Marion, IA
- Time without precipitation: 29 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.4 inches
- Total population: 41,401
9. Waterloo, IA
- Time without precipitation: 30 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.5 inches
- Total population: 67,256
8. La Crosse, WI
- Time without precipitation: 31 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.3 inches
- Total population: 52,043
7. Lake Charles, LA
- Time without precipitation: 38 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.7 inches
- Total population: 82,430
6. Cheyenne, WY
- Time without precipitation: 39 days
- Normal October precipitation: 1.0 inches
- Total population: 64,795
5. San Antonio, TX
- Time without precipitation: 44 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.0 inches
- Total population: 1,445,662
4. Kahului, HI
- Time without precipitation: 50 days
- Normal October precipitation: N/A
- Total population: 27,233
3. Kennesaw, GA
- Time without precipitation: 82 days
- Normal October precipitation: 3.0 inches
- Total population: 33,360
2. Merced, CA
- Time without precipitation: 92 days
- Normal October precipitation: 0.5 inches
- Total population: 87,686
1. El Dorado Hills, CA
- Time without precipitation: 166 days
- Normal October precipitation: 2.3 inches
- Total population: 49,082
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