A Little Warm and A Little Wet

By Russell Russ

This October was significantly different from last October. Last October was dangerously dry around these parts. Precipitation for September and October 2024 were off-the-charts low and, as a result, the forest fire danger levels were extremely high both months. Not the case this year. This September was below normal for precipitation, but October was about the same amount above normal. Thankfully, there were no extended periods of high fire danger this year. Even though there were 12 days with frost observed (between Oct. 1-28), early October had some warm daytime temperatures. By mid-month, the weather patterns had changed to a cooler, wetter and windier form. Between Oct. 13-31, seven days had 20 to 35 m.p.h. winds. Mother Nature finally caught up with us.

The month’s high temperature of 81 degrees was observed on Oct. 5. The low of 28 was observed on Oct. 27. There were no days with record daily temperatures, but we came very close to highs on Oct. 5 (81), Oct. 6 (79) and Oct. 7 (77) and very close to a low record on Oct. 10 (29).

These days, we do not often talk about hitting a record for low temperatures, but it does still happen occasionally. It was a chilly 47 degrees, windy and a little damp on Halloween this year. The high last Halloween was a record-setting 76 degrees. The monthly mean temperature of 49.8 degrees was 2.0 degrees above normal (mostly due to a warm first week). This October was tied with October 1932 as Norfolk’s 19 warmest. Norfolk’s warmest October was in 2001 with a mean temperature of 55.3 degrees; the coldest was in 1974 with 42.0 degrees.

Total precipitation for the month was 5.93 inches, 1.57 inches above normal. Not high ranking, it was Norfolk’s 21st wettest October. In all of 2025, only May and October were above average for precipitation. Nine days this October saw measurable rainfall, mostly from four separate storms. Three storms were nor’easters, which in a month or two could mean big snow.

The largest rainfall by far came on Oct. 30-31 when 2.43 inches was measured. It turned windy during the evening, but fortunately it was just a little showery during trick-or-treating time. Norfolk’s wettest October was in 1955 with 17.49 inches and the driest was in 1963 with just 0.63 inches. October 2025 was second driest with 0.67 inches. There was no snowfall this October, technically making it 0.9 inches below normal. Norfolk’s record for October snowfall continues to be the impressive 23.8 inches recorded in 2011. Through October, the total precipitation amount for the year was 40.32 inches. This is 3.06 inches below normal, but not too bad. October’s rain helped reduce our running yearly deficit.

October starts the winter snowfall season. For the calendar year 2025, Norfolk’s paltry snowfall total of just 30.7 inches is 35.0 inches below normal through October. This is something to keep an eye on. We could be looking at a very high ranking for least snowfall for a year. The top three least snowfall years are: 1998 with 33.0 inches; 1999 with 44.1 inches; and 2004 with 49.5 inches. Many experts are saying it could be a cold and snowy winter. We shall see.

A look at November showed it to be seasonable—old-time, normal November seasonal. There were no record high or low temperatures through Nov. 20, just November-like temperatures with highs in the upper 30s to low 50s and many overnight lows in the mid to upper 20s.

Total precipitation was running over three inches below normal, but Norfolk did see its first snow of the season. Light snow showers on Nov. 10 left just a dusting. The first measurable snow of 0.5 inches came on Nov. 11. Norfolk often sees its first flurries in October, just not in recent years. It is quite common to have a little snowfall by early November. It is time to think of snow again, so get the shovels and plows ready. You will either be happy we get some snow or you will be happy that we end up ranking very high for least amount of yearly snowfall.

Weather observations are recorded by the Great Mountain Forest at Norfolk’s National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observer Station, Norfolk 2SW.