This past month was a ‘Tale of Two Temperatures’ in the Southeast, with below-average temperatures across the interior of the region, while the southern tier and the Caribbean remained hot and humid. Many locations in Florida recorded their warmest month on record in July. Precipitation was also variable. Drought conditions improved across Tennessee and northern Alabama, persisted on St. Thomas and St. Croix, emerged in eastern North Carolina and St. John, and intensified across the western Florida Peninsula and northwestern Puerto Rico.

Temperature varied across the Southeast region, with below-average temperatures across the interior of the region while the southern tier and Caribbean remained hot and humid. Precipitation was also variable where much of Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia experienced above-average rainfall with some localized flooding, while much of Georgia and Florida were drier than average.

For the second straight month, temperatures were below average across much of the Southeast, particularly across parts of Virginia and the Carolinas. On the other hand, temperatures were quite warm across the southern tip of Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where excessive heat warnings were issued on several days. Precipitation was above average across much of the Southeast, owing to the passage of multiple frontal boundaries and low-pressure systems.

Despite recent cooler temperatures, many locations in the Southeast are still experiencing one of their warmest starts to the year due to higher temperatures in the first four months. Precipitation was more variable. The region is largely free of drought at this time, with the exception of the Florida Peninsula, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A transition from ENSO-neutral is expected in the next couple of months.