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Southeast Climate Monthly Webinar: July 23, 2024

Event Date
July 23, 2024
Event Time
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Timezone
ET
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The hot, dry conditions across much of the region in the past month led to a rapid expansion of drought and reduced streamflows in the Southeast. Some areas experienced record dry conditions (Virginia) and record heat (Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina). Recent rains have brought much needed relief to parts of the region, although the scattered hit-and-miss nature of summer rainfall typical to the Southeast means some areas are still dry, especially in the interior parts of the region, such as Tennessee.

Looking ahead, La Niña is expected to develop later this summer and persist through the upcoming winter. Over the next three months, temperatures and precipitation are expected to be above average across most of the Southeast and Caribbean, and the risk of flooding remains normal. 

Check out the recording below to hear more on Southeast climate conditions and a special presentation, "Urban Heat: The Role of Buildings, Shade, and Green Infrastructure on Urban Heat Islands" from Peter Crank at the University of Waterloo. We have posted a webinar summary and recording on drought.gov for those who were unable to participate in the live event or wish to share it with others.

Timestamp
0:00

Introduction and Welcome

Speaker: Chris Fuhrmann, Southeast Regional Climate Center

  • This webinar contains a special presentation on "Urban Heat: The Role of Buildings, Shade, and Green Infrastructure on Urban Heat Islands."

 

Timestamp
0:51

Climate Conditions 

Speaker: Chris Fuhrmann, Southeast Regional Climate Center

  • Temperatures were above average across the Southeast and Caribbean.  Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina recorded its all-time highest temperature of 106 degrees F and all-time highest heat index of 117°F on July 5.
  • Precipitation was variable across the region. Above-average precipitation extended from the northern Gulf Coast up to eastern Virginia, with below-average precipitation across interior and northern portions of the region, as well as eastern parts of the Florida Peninsula. Precipitation was near average across much of Puerto Rico and above average across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Drought conditions deteriorated rapidly, especially across parts of Tennessee, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Virginia, where areas of Severe and Extreme Drought (D2–D3) emerged over the past few weeks. However, drought removal and improvement is expected. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remained drought-free, and no new development is expected across the Southeast or Caribbean. View the July 15 Southeast Drought Status Update for more information.
  • El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO): ENSO-neutral conditions are present, but La Niña is expected to develop later this summer and persist through the upcoming winter.
  • The next two weeks are expected to be warmer than average, particularly across the northern and southern tiers of the region. There is a slight chance of excessive heat across northern Virginia. Wetter than average conditions are expected across most of the region, except across parts of Virginia and South Florida. 
  • Over the next month, above-average temperatures and precipitation are expected across the region.
  • Over the next three months, temperatures and precipitation are expected to be above average across most of the Southeast and Caribbean.
  • The Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be busy! NOAA forecasters predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. Read more. 
  • For more information, contact Chris Fuhrmann.
  • Additional regional climate and drought information:

 

Timestamp
9:00

Water Resources Outlook

Speaker: Todd Hamill, Southeast River Forecast Center, National Weather Service

 

Timestamp
17:38

Agriculture Impact and Outlook

Speaker: Pam Knox, University of Georgia

  • Hot and dry conditions allowed farmers to catch up on fieldwork, but recent rain has limited that same fieldwork.
  • Warm temperatures have accelerated growth of corn, but dry conditions hindered pollination in some dryland fields.
  • Growing Degree Days (GDDs) are right on the historical average and above last year’s accumulation. View the Growing Degree Days calculator from AgroClimate.
  • The recent switch to wetter conditions has improved most fields and pastures, but also increased disease and pest pressure on many crops.
  • For more information, contact Pam Knox.
  • View additional information on reporting agricultural conditions. 
  • Sign up to receive updates from the Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast: Blog.

 

Timestamp
24:45

Special Presentation: Urban Heat: The Role of Buildings, Shade, and Green Infrastructure on Urban Heat Islands

Speaker: Dr. Peter Crank, University of Waterloo

  • Buildings are a crucial component of the urban system that stores heat.
  • The size of an urban canyon matters. An urban canyon, also known as a street canyon or skyscraper canyon, is a space in an urban area where tall buildings on either side of a street create a canyon-like environment. Tall, narrow urban canyons provide more shade, but trap heat better.
  • Waste heat from HVAC units adds to the heat storage system of cities.
  • Shade structures and vegetation are great ways to cool things down for pedestrians.
    • The type of shade and greening will depend on the local context.
  • Air conditioning access is crucial to reducing heat risk among vulnerable populations.
  • For more information, contact Peter Crank.
  • For more information on NOAA heat island mapping campaigns that have been undertaken in the Southeast cities, visit Heat.gov.

 

Timestamp
56:09

Q&A and Closing

Speaker: Meredith Muth, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

  • Register for the next webinars!
    • August 24, 2024: The new National Water Prediction Service (NWPS)
    • September 24, 2024: Fire Weather Portal for the Southeast 
    • October 22, 2024: Review of the 2024 Growing Season

 

About This Webinar

The Southeast Climate monthly webinar series is hosted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), and the NOAA National Weather Service. These webinars provide the region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. Speakers may also discuss the impacts of these conditions on topics such as agriculture production, water resources, wildfires, and ecosystems

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).

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