MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY
By Dr. John Lewis with Laura Edwards
Desert Research Institute and National Severe Storms Laboratory
November 2005

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November's synoptic weather pattern was typified by a blocking ridge over the West Coast of the US and steadiness over the entire northern hemisphere. Statewide, temperatures were above normal by almost 3 degrees. All 7 climate divisions reported above average temperatures for the month. Only the North Coast and Sacramento drainages reported near normal precipitation, with all others measuring 50% or less of average. The Southeast Desert climate division was the driest, with most stations reporting no precipitation for the entire month.

This dry, warm pattern was especially evident at mid-month with a classic high pressure pattern that forced weather systems to pass north of the Western US. Numerous high temperature records were broken or tied between the 14th and 24th, from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego. Some new entries in the record books include: Pierce College (92 on 14th), Salinas (86 on 16th), Stockton (77 on 18th), Gilroy (80 on 22nd) and Paso Robles (79 on 23rd).

This pattern was "book-ended" by transient weather systems that passed through California at the beginning of the month and at the end of the month. Cold air penetrated into California during the first week of November and when combined with a disturbance that emanated from the tropical Pacific, precipitation occurred over Southern California. The north was not left high and dry however, with Crescent City breaking precipitation records on the 4th and 6th, along with other stations in the North Coast climate division. The day after Thanksgiving, the northern Sierra had its first significant precipitation in November. Ward Creek SNOTEL site reported almost 3.00" of liquid equivalent precipitation from the 24th-28th, and Leavitt Meadows SNOTEL reported 1.50" of liquid equivalent. According to the Department of Water Resources, the statewide average for precipitation was just under 74% of normal for the month. By month end, a portion of the Central Valley ranked as D0 in the U.S. Drought monitor.


Page last updated 12/15/05.