Southeast Region: (Information provided by the Southeast Regional Climate Center)

• Temperatures ranged from below average to average across much of the Southeast region during
May, with near average temperatures observed across much of the Florida peninsula and above-
average temperatures across Puerto Rico. Monthly mean temperatures were within 2 degrees F (1.1
degrees C) of normal for approximately 60 percent of the 201 long-term (i.e., period of record
equaling or exceeding 50 years) stations across the region. There were 22 stations that observed
monthly mean temperatures that were ranked within their five coldest values on record, including
Stuart, VA (1913-2020; 3rd coldest). In contrast, San Juan, PR (1898-2020) observed its warmest May
on record. Maximum temperatures ranged from 5 degrees F (2.7 degrees C) above normal in
Aibonito, PR (1906-2020) to 8.3 degrees F (4.6 degrees C) below normal in Carlisle, SC (1893-2020).
Daily temperature minimums ranged from 2.7 degrees F (1.5 degrees C) above normal in Clayton, AL
(1928-2020) to 5.9 degrees F (3.3 degrees C) below normal in Fairhope, AL (1917-2020). The coldest
weather of the month across the Southeast occurred on the 9th and 10th, as the circulation around a
departing mid-latitude cyclone ushered in unseasonably cold, dry air from Canada. Daily minimum
temperatures fell below 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) across portions of every state north of Florida.
Mt. Mitchell, NC (1925-2020) reported the second coldest May minimum temperature on record at
14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). In contrast, the warmest weather of the month occurred from the 23rd
through the 25th, as the circulation around the Bermuda High, situated off the Atlantic coast,
transported warm, humid air over much of the Southeast region. Daily maximum temperatures
exceeded 85 degrees F (29 degrees C) across much of the region, with portions of central Florida
reaching 95 degrees F (35 degrees C) or higher.

• Precipitation varied across the region for May, with the driest locations found across much of
Alabama, central Georgia, eastern Virginia, the panhandle of Florida, and Puerto Rico. Monthly
precipitation totals ranged from 70 to less than 25 percent of normal across these locations. Indeed,
St. Thomas, USVI (1953-2020) only observed a trace of precipitation, which was more than 3 inches
(76 mm) below average, making this the driest May on record. In contrast, the wettest locations
were located across western Virginia, most of North Carolina, South Carolina, and southeastern
Florida. Precipitation totals ranged from 150 to 300 percent of normal. Ten long-term stations (i.e.,
period of record equaling or exceeding 50 years) observed their wettest May on record, including
Miami, FL (1895-2020), which received 18.89 inches (480 mm) of precipitation, over 13 inches (330
mm) above normal. From the 19th through the 21st, a slow-moving upper-level low ushered in a deep
stream of moisture from the southeast across southwestern Virginia, and the western Carolinas, with
72-hour precipitation totals exceeding 8 inches (203 mm) and numerous reports of localized flooding.
Roanoke, VA (1912-2020) measured 8.32 inches (211 mm) of rain from May 19-21, their third
heaviest three-day rainfall on record. Roanoke, VA also observed its longest streak of 3 consecutive
days with at least 2 inches (51 mm) of precipitation. The Roanoke River crested almost 6 feet above
flood stage on May 21, sending water rushing onto some roadways and deeming them impassable.
Some residents in Roanoke were asked to evacuate due to concerns that the Spring Valley dam could
fail. On the morning of May 18th, Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2020 hurricane
season, made its closest approach to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Carteret County, NC
observed over 4 inches (102 mm) of rain from Arthur. On May 27th, Tropical Storm Bertha made
landfall on the South Carolina coast, just east of Charleston. The system weakened rapidly and
moved northwest through the region. The precursor disturbance to Bertha however, caused a
significant, multi-day rainfall event across South Florida, with accumulations of more than 8 inches
(203 mm) across several locations. On May 26th, Miami, FL (1895-2020) observed a 24-hour rainfall
 total of 7.4 inches (188 mm), making it the 3rd wettest May day on record. Blacksburg, VA (1953-
2020) reported a trace of snow, only the 3rd time for the month of May since 1953.

• There were 310 reports of severe weather across the Southeast during May, which is 70 percent of
the median monthly frequency of 440 reports during 2000-2018. There were 8 confirmed tornadoes
reported for the month (2 EF-0, 5 EF-1, and 1 EF-2), a little less than the monthly average of 11. The
strongest of these tornadoes occurred with a supercell thunderstorm that formed over Chester
County, SC on May 5th. Maximum wind speed was estimated at 115 mph (51 m/s). This tornado
produced significant tree damage, destroyed a house and a vehicle when trees fell on them.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Another tornado developed over the Miami
Everglades RV Resort on May 25th, with winds reported at 90 mph (40 m/s). Several campers were
tipped over and trees were damaged. No injuries were reported, however. There were 15 reports of
hail for the month, with the largest being tea-cup sized (3.00 inches) in Lake Mary, FL. This is the 18th
tea-cup or larger sized hail in the state since 1950, and only the 4th in the month of May. There were
222 wind reports for the month, which is less than the average (287 reports). Damaging straight line
winds and associated gustnado was observed in Lancaster County, SC on May 5th, with the strongest
reported gust at 105 mph (47 m/s). While much of the damage was based on straight line winds,
there was evidence of an embedded gustnado based on the tree fall pattern. The damage was
primarily to trees, with many uprooted and some snapped. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Unfortunately, there were 2 lightning deaths in the region for the month. The first was a 32-year old
man, on May 5th in Chester County, SC. The second was a 41-year old man, on May 27th in Port St.
Lucie, FL.

• Drought has improved across portions of Florida for the month of May. Moderate drought (D1)
reduced in coverage across central Florida, but increased across the Florida Panhandle. Although the
pocket of severe drought (D2) is gone in the southwestern part of the state, it has emerged in the
panhandle. By the end of the month the pocket of moderate drought (D1) remains along the Gulf
Coast of Alabama along with an emerging pocket of severe drought (D2). Abnormally dry conditions
(D0) expanded in Puerto Rico, with an area of moderate drought (D1) developing in southern Puerto
Rico. The dry conditions at the beginning of the month led to the outbreak of numerous wildfires
across Florida. One of the largest fires burned over 8,600 acres in Collier County and forced a portion
of I-75 to close. Multiple residences were destroyed from this fire, and many residents were told to
evacuate the area. The lack of rainfall in the Panhandle of Florida lead to poor grazing conditions.
However, excess rainfall in the southern peninsula caused minor flooding of pastures. Some
watermelon producers reported downy mildew issues due to the rain. Citrus grove activities
continued, as normal and beneficial rainfall was received throughout the region. The warm weather
paired with scattered thunderstorms lead to the appearance of flies on cattle throughout the state of
Georgia. Producers in the southern counties of Georgia reported concerns that increased moisture
from the rainfall will lead to lower germination rates and increased risk for crop disease. dry
conditions in Alabama enabled farmers to make good progress in planting cotton, peanuts, and
soybeans. South Carolina reported water damage to some strawberry crops, as the heavy rainfall
slowed fieldwork and caused minor flooding in some fields.