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

• Temperatures were much above average across the Southeast and Puerto Rico for the month of
December. Monthly mean temperatures were over 4 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) above normal in more
than half of the 178 long-term (i.e., period of record equaling or exceeding 50 years) stations across
the region. None of the stations reported below average mean temperatures for the month. San
Juan, PR (1898-2019) observed its warmest December mean temperature on record at 81.5 degrees F
(27.5 degrees C). While maximum temperatures were generally 3 to 4 degrees F (1.6 to 2.2 degrees
C) warmer than average, minimum temperatures throughout the region ranged from around 5 to 7
degrees F (2.8 to 3.9 degrees C) above average, consistent with general trends seen in the region over
time. Orlando, FL (1892-2019) tied its 3rd warmest December for average monthly minimum
temperature at 58.5 degrees F (14.7 degrees C). The warmest weather of the month occurred on the
30th, as unusually warm and humid air surged northward ahead of an approaching cold front.
Daytime maximum temperatures reached or exceeded 70 degrees F (21.1 degrees C) across portions
of every state. Raleigh, NC (1887-2019) reported a daytime maximum temperature of 76 degrees F
(24 degrees C), which tied the daily record. In contrast, the coldest weather of the month occurred
on December 18th - 20th, as a continental high pressure system ushered in unseasonably cold air from
the northwest. Daily minimum temperatures fell below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) across portions of
every state, including Florida. Tallahassee, FL (1896-2019) reported a daily minimum temperature of
28 degrees F (-2.2 degrees C), Washington Dulles, VA (1962-2019) reported a daily minimum
temperature of 18 degrees F (-7.8 degrees C), and Mt. Mitchell, NC (1925-2019) reported a daily
minimum of 6 degrees F (-14.4 degrees C).

• The Southeast was exceptionally wet in December, except for Virginia, eastern North Carolina and
Mobile, AL. Most of the rest of the region was about 130 percent wetter than normal, with pockets
of more than 300 percent of normal in Florida and southeastern Georgia. There were 4 long-term
stations that observed more than 9 inches (229 mm) of precipitation for December, including Darien,
GA (1957-2019; 2nd wettest December) at 9.52 inches (242 mm), West Palm Beach, FL (1888-2019; 4th
wettest December) at 9.36 inches (238 mm), and Columbia, SC (1887-2019; T-1st wettest December)
at 9.31 inches (236 mm). On December 22nd and 23rd, a slow-moving low pressure system produced
over 3 inches (76 mm) of rainfall across portions of southern Florida and southeastern Georgia. As a
result, Brunswick, GA (1948-2019) observed its wettest maximum daily precipitation for December at
4 inches (102 mm), and Key West, FL (1871-2019) observed its 2nd wettest maximum daily
precipitation for December at 5.48 inches (139 mm). In contrast, unusual dryness was found in
Virginia, and eastern North Carolina, where the precipitation values ranged from 90 to less than 70
percent of normal. Bluefield, VA (1927-2019) only reported 1.67 inches (42 mm) of precipitation for
the month, which was about 2 inches (51 mm) below normal. Parts of Puerto Rico also reported
below normal precipitation, with St. Croix (1951-2019) only observing 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain.
Some light snowfall was reported across portions of the northern tier, with Washington Dulles, VA
(1962-2019) observing 0.6 inches, Blacksburg, VA (1952-2019) observing 0.5 inches, and Washington
Reagan, VA (1871-2019) observing 0.4 inches. Huntsville, AL (1894-2019) reported some ice pellets
on the 10th. Mt. Mitchell, NC (1925-2019) recorded the highest snowfall total in the region for the
month, at 4.2 inches.

• There were 78 severe weather reports across the Southeast during December, which is about 140
percent of the median monthly frequency of 56 reports during 2000-2018. There were 19 confirmed
tornadoes reported for the month, more than triple the monthly average of 6. About 12 of these
 tornadoes were associated with a low pressure system that moved north of Alabama on December
16th. The most damaging tornado was rated an EF-2 with winds of 134 mph (60 m/s) and occurred in
Lawrence County, AL. During the afternoon hours of December 16th, a long-track supercell
thunderstorm developed in Mississippi and moved into southwest Alabama. The tornado intensified
significantly approximately one mile south of Highway 20. Major damage to three structures was
reported, and a doublewide manufactured home rolled off its plot, causing two fatalities and an
injury, with additional injuries at the other damaged structures. Another EF-2 tornado with winds of
120 mph (54 m/s) was reported in Marengo County, AL the same day. This tornado also damaged a
doublewide and a singlewide mobile home, which resulted in three injuries. There were 2 reports of
hail with the severe weather in Alabama, the largest being half-dollar sized. There were 57 wind
reports for the month, with Grandfather Mountain, NC reporting a peak wind gust of 107 mph (48
m/s), and Boone, NC reporting a peak wind gust of 67 mph (30 m/s) on December 5th.

• Overall drought conditions have improved for the month of December, with no areas of severe
drought (D2). By the end of the month, drought conditions were gone from Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. There were pockets of moderate drought (D1), ringed by an
area of dry conditions (D0), in the Panhandle and southern parts of Florida. Puerto Rico also
developed an area of moderate drought (D1), ringed by an area of dry conditions (D0) in the eastern
half of the country. The majority of wheat and winter forages were in good condition due to the
rainfall and warm temperatures throughout Alabama and Georgia. However, some cattle producers
still needed to supplement with hay and feed. Hay was in short supply due to the drought conditions
that hurt pastures in autumn. In Florida, several pastures in the Panhandle received some frost
damage at the beginning of the month. However, the warm weather toward the end of the month
allowed vegetable growers to prepare land for spring plantings and allowed for citrus grove
operations to be normal for this time of the year. The late season rainfall and high humidity in North
Carolina delayed the harvest of the remaining soybean fields and limited field work. However, in
South Carolina winter greens were being harvested and in good condition due to the adequate
rainfall and mild temperatures. The persistent dry conditions early this winter, have resulted in
damage to some pastures and feeding areas in Virginia.