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

• Temperatures were near average across much of the Southeast region for the month of June, with
above-average temperatures observed across much of the Florida peninsula, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Monthly mean temperatures were within 2 degrees F (1.1 degrees C) of normal for
over 90 percent of the 194 long-term (i.e., period of record equaling or exceeding 50 years) stations
across the region. There were only a handful of stations that observed monthly mean temperatures
that were ranked within their five warmest values on record, including St. Croix, USVI (1951-2020; T-
1st warmest), Guayama, PR (1911-2020; 2nd warmest) and Tampa, FL (1890-2020; 3rd warmest).
Maximum temperatures ranged from 4 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) above normal in Christiansted, USVI
(1951-2020) to 6.4 degrees F (3.6 degrees C) below normal in Carlisle, SC (1893-2020). Daily
temperature minimums ranged from 4.8 degrees F (2.7 degrees C) above normal in La Fayette, GA
(1892-2020) to 3.8 degrees F (2.1 degrees C) below normal in Fairhope, AL (1917-2020). The coldest
weather of the month across the Southeast occurred on the 1st and 2nd, as the circulation around a
departing mid-latitude cyclone ushered in unseasonably cold, dry air from Canada. Daily minimum
temperatures ranged from 50 to 65 degrees F (10 to 18.3 degrees C) across portions of every state
north of Florida, with numerous locations in the higher elevations of North Carolina and Virginia
falling below 50 degrees F. On June 15th – 16th, an upper-level low slowly moved across the Carolinas,
producing many record low daily maximum temperatures, as much of the area did not get above 65
degrees F (18 degrees C). In contrast, the warmest weather of the month occurred from the 28th
through the 30th, 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 90 degrees F (29 degrees C) across much of the region, with portions of central Florida, and
Georgia reaching 95 degrees F (35 degrees C) or higher. On June 26th, Tampa, FL (1890-2020) tied the
warmest daily maximum temperature on record at 99 degrees F (37 degrees C). Miami, FL (1895-
2020) observed it’s record warmest 7-day period with a mean temperature of 88.8 degrees F (31.6
degrees C), ending June 30th.

• Precipitation varied across the region for June, with the driest locations found across much of
Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, the panhandle of Florida, and Puerto Rico. Monthly
precipitation totals ranged from 70 to less than 25 percent of normal across these locations. Indeed,
Roosevelt Roads, PR (1942-2020) only observed 0.9 inches (22.9 mm) of precipitation, which was
more than 3 inches (76 mm) below average and the 5th driest June on record. In contrast, the wettest
locations were located across southern Virginia, southeastern North Carolina, western Alabama, and
northeastern Florida. Precipitation totals ranged from 150 to 300 percent of normal. Only six long-
term stations (i.e., period of record equaling or exceeding 50 years) observed June precipitation that
ranked top five wettest on record, including Pulaski, VA (1920-2020; 1st wettest), which received
11.69 inches (297 mm) of precipitation, over 8 inches (203 mm) above normal. From the 6th through
the 8th, Tropical Storm Cristobal impacted the region, providing beneficial rainfall to the Florida
Panhandle and southern Alabama. Mobile, AL (1871-2020) received over 6 inches (152 mm) of rain
from the storm. From the 15th through 16th, a slow-moving upper-level low ushered in a deep stream
of moisture from the southeast across the Carolinas, with 2-day precipitation totals exceeding 5
inches (127 mm) and numerous reports of localized flooding. A couple were rescued in Nash County,
NC, when rising flood waters swept their vehicle off the road. In contrast, the Tampa International
Airport tied it’s 3rd longest streak of 14 consecutive days with no measurable precipitation during
Florida’s rainy season (June 1- September 30).
• There were 502 reports of severe weather across the Southeast during June, which is 68 percent of
the median monthly frequency of 735 reports during 2000-2018. There were 6 confirmed tornadoes
reported for the month (4 EF-0, and 2 EF-1), half the monthly average of 12. The strongest of these
tornadoes occurred with a supercell thunderstorm that formed over Mobile County, AL on June 24th.
Maximum wind speed was estimated at 110 mph (49 m/s). This tornado produced significant tree
damage, with fallen tree limbs damaging a few houses. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were
reported. Another tornado developed over Orange County, FL on June 6th, starting as a waterspout
that came onshore with peak winds reported at 90 mph (40 m/s). Multiple vehicles were damaged
due to fallen large tree branches. No injuries were reported, however. There were 35 reports of hail
for the month, with the largest being golf-ball sized (1.75 inches) in Seminole County, FL on June 24th.
There were 373 wind reports for the month, which is a little more than half of the average (633
reports). Damaging straight line winds impacted the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmers Market on June
6th, with the strongest reported gust at 65 mph (29 m/s). Damage consisted of trees down and roof
debris blown onto portions of Interstate 95, causing the roadway to be closed for several hours. No
injuries or fatalities were reported. The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) moved through the Southeast and
Caribbean from the 25th -28th. Puerto Rico reported hazy conditions and poor air quality, while in
Asheville, NC visibility decreased to 3 miles due the high dust concentrations.

• Drought conditions were eliminated across the Southeast for June but have expanded in Puerto Rico.
Only a few small pockets of abnormally dry conditions (D0) remain in Alabama, and the Florida
Panhandle. By the end of June, severe drought (D2) expanded through southern Puerto Rico and the
eastern part of the USVI. Most of eastern Puerto Rico is under moderate drought conditions (D1)
with abnormally dry conditions (D0) stretching westward. The citrus growing region in Florida
experienced warm and dry conditions, however normal grove activities continued with extra
irrigation. Recent rains in the northern part of the Florida Peninsula put disease pressures, army
worms, and white mold on the peanut crop. At the end of the month, some corn was still under
water, as corn growers feared the potential development of corn rust. Cattle and pastures remained
in good condition throughout the state. The rain was welcomed in Georgia, as intermittent showers
kept row crops and pastures hydrated. Although air quality was impacted by the Saharan dust, there
was no noticeable impact on crops. Plant bugs have been spotted in some cotton fields in Alabama,
due to the rainfall; however, most crops benefitted from the rain and were looking good. Soils have
begun to dry out in Virginia due to the hot and dry conditions. Although the lack of rainfall allowed
for field work, some crops were behind normal growth stages during the second half of the month.