Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for June–August 2024. Dated September 2024.

Summer 2024 temperatures were above normal for the western portions of the Southern region, with most stations running 3°F to 5°F above normal. Precipitation was below normal in the western and eastern portions of the region during Summer 2024, with the west observing 5% to 50% of normal precipitation. In the east, 50% to 90% of normal was more common.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for March–May 2024. Dated June 2024.

Spring temperatures were above normal for most of the Southern region and ranked third warmest out of 130 years of data. Precipitation was between 150% and 300% of normal across East Texas, Louisiana, Southern Arkansas, and isolated areas of Mississippi. Precipitation in South Texas, Far West Texas, and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles ranged from 5% to 70% of normal. The remainder of the region ranged from 70% to 130% of normal precipitation.

From worsening water quality to respiratory and metal health impacts, drought can have profound and widespread impacts on the health of communities across the nation. To better prepare health professionals’ response to the health effects of drought, a research team from the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health recently released a new guide to assist healthcare providers and public health officials communicate about the health risks of drought with their patients and broader communities.

The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report to provide insight into the many accomplishments of the program over the previous year and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for December 2023–February 2024. Dated March 2024.