NOUS42 KMLB 040145 PNSMLB Public Information Statement National Weather Service Melbourne FL 845 PM EST Tue Dec 3 2024 ...Fall 2024 Was Warmer and Wetter Than Normal Across East Central Florida... Temperatures ended up well above normal to start the Fall season, with September 2024 ranking within the top 4 warmest on record at all primary climate sites of east central Florida, and in fact it was the warmest September on record at Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. A stalled frontal boundary early in October, the passage of Hurricane Milton and few cold fronts that moved through the area did bring some brief periods of near to below normal temperatures through the remainder of the Fall. However, overall average temperatures for October and November still ended up warmer than normal. With these warmer conditions largely prevailing across the area, seasonal average temperatures were above normal by 1.5 to 2.0 degrees, with Fall 2024 ranking within the top ten warmest on record for most sites across east central Florida. The wet season ramped up into September, especially during the first half of the month as a stalled front maintained ample moisture to fuel higher coverage of daily showers and storms across the region. The tropics also remained active, especially across Florida with two major hurricane landfalls for the state, with Hurricane Helene in late September and Hurricane Milton during the first half of October. While rainfall was widespread from outer rainbands from Helene, precipitation totals were not very notable across east central Florida from this system. However, Hurricane Milton produced considerable rainfall, especially near to north of Orlando and along the coast as it crossed central Florida, leading to above to well above normal precipitation for October. It was actually the wettest October on record for Sanford! The dry season kicked in following Milton's exit and led to drier than normal conditions through the second half of October and into November. Despite this drier end to the season, the heavier rainfall from Milton and also with increased showers and storms from lingering frontal boundaries early in September and October, led to overall wetter than normal conditions for the Fall. In fact, for Daytona Beach, Leesburg, Sanford and Vero Beach, Fall 2024 ranked within the top four wettest on record! Temperatures... A frontal boundary stalled and lingered mostly north of central Florida for the first half of September, keeping warmer conditions in place across the area. Above normal temperatures then largely prevailed through the remainder of September. It was the warmest September on record for Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, and for all other primary climate sites, September 2024 ranked as either 3rd or 4th warmest. A frontal boundary that moved into the region early in October and the passage of Hurricane Milton late on the 9th through early on the 10th increased cloud cover and rainfall, which helped provide a temporary break from the overall warmer than normal conditions. A passing cold front toward mid-October even ushered in a brief period of cooler than normal conditions, but onshore flow quickly developed from high pressure north of the region, moderating temperatures. High pressure north of Florida largely prevailed during the second half of October and into the first half of November, limiting frontal passages and producing a prevailing onshore breeze that kept temperatures near or above normal. A few stronger cold fronts passed through central Florida during the latter half of November, with much cooler weather moving in behind these boundaries. However, these drop in temperatures were also rather brief. The predominant warmth through the Fall, led to seasonal average temperature departures that ranged from 1.3 degrees above normal at Sanford to 2.2 degrees above normal at Orlando. Fall 2024 ranked within the top ten warmest at almost all primary climate sites, except at Fort Pierce where it tied the Fall of 1929 as the 13th warmest Fall on record. Average temperature values for Fall 2024 at the primary climate sites across east central Florida are as follows (rankings provided if in the top 10): - Daytona Beach had an average temperature for the season of 75.9 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.0 degrees above normal. This ties the Fall of 1931 as the 4th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1923. - Leesburg had an average temperature for the season of 76.2 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.6 degrees above normal. This ranks as the 8th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1958. - Sanford had an average temperature for the season of 76.3 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.3 degrees above normal. This ranks as the 5th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1948. - Orlando had an average temperature for the season of 77.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. This ties the Fall of 2018 as the 7th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1892. - Melbourne had an average temperature for the season of 77.2 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.9 degrees above normal. This ties the Fall of 1998 and 2013 as the 9th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1937. - Vero Beach had an average temperature for the season of 77.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.8 degrees above normal. This ranks as the 5th warmest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1942. - Fort Pierce had an average temperature for the season of 77.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.9 degrees above normal. Rainfall... An unusually persistent front that lingered either across, but mostly north of central Florida during the first half of September, significantly enhanced daily shower and thunderstorm development to start the Fall. Periods of locally heavy to excessive rainfall occurred across the region with this activity, keeping wetter than normal conditions in place across east central Florida. Coverage of afternoon and evening showers and storms then decreased through the second half of the month after the front faded. Hurricane Helene that made landfall as a Major Category 4 hurricane in the Florida Big Bend region late on the 26th produced widespread rainfall across the area. However, totals were not very significant across east central Florida, with values from around 0.50-2.00 inches, with locally higher totals of 3.00-3.50 inches across Martin County. Overall though, the rainfall from this system and from the wetter start to the month, led to near to above normal rainfall for September. A frontal boundary that stalled across the southern Florida peninsula increased rainfall across the area, especially along the coast early in October. Outer rainbands from Hurricane Milton then began to impact the area on the 9th, and also led to a tornado outbreak across central and south Florida, with 46 confirmed tornadoes of which 19 of those occurred in the east central Florida area alone! As Milton made landfall as a Major Category 3 hurricane along the west coast of Florida during the evening of the 9th and crossed central Florida and offshore early on the 10th, the system brought considerable rainfall and flooding impacts to the region. Highest rainfall totals from Milton, up to 10-15 inches, occurred near to north of the I-4 corridor, with amounts around 4-9 inches across portions of Brevard County and the Treasure Coast, and as low as 1-3 inches toward Martin County and across inland areas farther south of the Orlando metro area. The dry season began across east central Florida after Milton exited the area, with rainfall decreasing across the region. However, the wet first half to October led to above to well above normal rainfall across east central Florida, and led to October 2024 ranking within the top 5 wettest on record for Daytona Beach, Leesburg, Sanford and Vero Beach. Most notably it was the wettest October on record for Sanford. High pressure that largely dominated north of the area in late October, persisted into the first half of November, with any rainfall generally limited to isolated to scattered onshore moving showers. Precipitation was then very limited into the second half of November to end out the Fall, with only isolated to scattered showers occurring along a few cold fronts to move through the region. This overall lack of rainfall through the month, led to drier than normal conditions across much of the area for November, with precipitation totals that were around 1.00-1.50 inches below normal. Despite this drier end to the Fall, the rainfall from the wetter periods during the first half of September and October well made up for any precipitation deficits that occurred during the second half of the season. Rainfall totals peaked at around 25-35 inches across portions of the I-4 corridor and Treasure Coast, where heavier rainfall occurred from Milton. Elsewhere along the coast and northern portions of east central Florida, amounts were generally between 15-25 inches, and as low as 10-15 inches across the interior, west of I-95, and farther south of the Orlando metro area. This rainfall was above to well above normal for the season across much of the region. It was actually the 4th wettest Fall on record at Leesburg, 3rd wettest Fall at Daytona Beach and Vero Beach, and 2nd wettest Fall on record at Sanford. Fall 2024 rainfall totals for the primary climate sites across east central Florida are as follows (ranking provided if in the top 10): - Daytona Beach received 26.90 inches of rain for the season, which was 12.14 inches above normal. This ranks as the 3rd wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1923. - Leesburg received 18.08 inches of rain for the season, which was 8.49 inches above normal. This ranks as the 4th wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1958. - Sanford received 23.13 inches of rain for the season, which was 11.11 inches above normal. This ranks as the 2nd wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1948. - Orlando received 11.11 inches of rain for the season, which was 0.51 inches below normal. - Melbourne received 15.42 inches of rain for the season, which was 0.38 inches above normal. - Vero Beach received 28.38 inches of rain for the season, which was 13.10 inches above normal. This ranks as the 3rd wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1942. - Fort Pierce received 18.87 inches of rain for the season, which was 4.34 inches above normal. Cooperative Observer Station Rainfall Rankings (Note: These totals for Fall 2024 end around 7 AM on November 30th): - Clermont received 16.70 inches of rain for the season, which ranks as the 8th wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1948. - Titusville received 27.74 inches of rain for the season, which ranks as the 4th wettest Fall on record for this site, with records dating back to 1901. Below is a list of observed precipitation totals and rainfall statistics for select sites across east central Florida for Fall 2024: Station Fall 2024 Normal Departure Percent of Rainfall Rainfall From Normal Normal Daytona Beach 26.90" 14.76" +12.14" 182% (DAB) Orlando 11.11" 11.62" -0.51" 96% (MCO) Melbourne 15.42" 15.04" +0.38" 103% (MLB) Vero Beach 28.38" 15.28" +13.10" 186% (VRB) Clermont* 16.70" 9.91" +6.79" 169% (CLRF1) Leesburg 18.08" 9.59" +8.49" 189% (LEE) Sanford 23.13" 12.02" +11.11" 192% (SFB) Titusville* 27.74" 15.03" +12.71" 185% (TITF1) Fort Pierce 18.87" 14.53" +4.34" 130% (FPR) Stuart* 21.66" 18.90" +2.76" 115% (STRF1) *Rainfall totals for the season end around 7 AM on November 30th. For more local climate information, please visit our web page at http://weather.gov/mlb and click on the "Climate" icon toward the bottom of the page. $$ Weitlich