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Autumn roared into Los Alamos, White Rock in October

The first full month of autumn made its presence known in a big way with abundant moisture in Los Alamos and White Rock in October. It also was cooler than normal.

The moisture the area received came in a variety of ways, including rain, pea-sized hail and some light snow, said Jeremy Rishel, a meteorologist in Meteorology and Air Quality (RRES-MAQ). Other areas of New Mexico also reported some severe weather, including snow, 2-3-inch diameter hail and even a report of a funnel cloud south of Roswell.

For the month, Los Alamos received 2.5 inches of precipitation at the Technical Area 6 measuring station. The total was nearly one inch greater than normal for October, said Rishel.

Likewise for White Rock, 2.76 inches or precipitation was recorded in October, more than doubling the normal for October of 1.35 inches. Since Jan. 1, more than 16 inches of precipitation has been recorded in Los Alamos, while nearly 14 inches of precipitation has been recorded in White Rock, he said.

The precipitation also contributed to cooler temperatures in Los Alamos and White Rock last month. In Los Alamos, the average high temperature was 59 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2 F below normal, said Rishel. It was much the same in White Rock. The mean maximum temperature was 63 F, or 2 F below normal. The mean minimum temperatures were normal for October in Los Alamos and White Rock, Rishel added.

Rishel noted that the arrival of cooler air also lead to the first freeze of the season in Los Alamos on Oct. 13. Statistically, Los Alamos observes its first freeze on Oct. 14.

Winds gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour were recorded Oct. 22 and 29 in Los Alamos.

Rishel said the revised winter outlook for the Los Alamos area from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the western two-thirds of the state, including Los Alamos may have slightly warmer temperatures, with near normal precipitation forecast.

More information about weather in the region can be found at http://weather.lanl.gov online.

--Steve Sandoval

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