Contact: Luigi Romolo (lromolo@srcc.lsu.edu)

Southern Regional Climate Center

Quarterly Climate Impacts 

and Outlook

Southern Region

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook | September 2016 

Southern Region

September 2016

Highlights for the Region

• It was a slightly warmer-than-normal 

summer (June–August) for the Southern 

Region with all six states reporting 

warmer-than-normal temperatures in 

June and July and all states remaining 

warmer than normal through August, 

except for Texas. 

• Precipitation was abundant along eastern 

Texas, western Tennessee, and Arkansas. 

In Louisiana, an unexpected and historic 

flood in the southern parishes devastated 

the state in mid-August. 

• Hurricane season reached its prime time 

in late August, and by early September, 

storm counts are now on pace to meet 

NOAA-forecasted expectations. To date, 

no hurricanes or tropical storms have 

impacted the Southern Region. 

National – Significant Events for August and Summer 2016

Regional – Climate Overview for June–August 2016

The average U.S. temperature during August was 73.6°F, 1.5°F above average. The summer U.S. temperature 

was 73.5°F, 2.1°F above average and the fifth highest on record. August U.S. precipitation was 3.47 inches, 

0.85 inches above average and the second wettest on record. The summer precipitation total was 8.92 inches, 

0.60 inches above normal. Material provided in this map was compiled from NOAA’s State of the Climate 

Reports. For more information, visit: www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc.

Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)

6/1/2016–8/31/2016

August average streamflow compared to 

historical streamflow

Departure from Normal Temperature (°F)

6/1/2016–8/31/2016

Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Streamflows

The above figure illustrates the August 

average streamflow in the Texas Gulf and 

Lower Mississippi basins as compared 

to historical streamflow. Record-setting 

precipitation totals in Louisiana combined 

with well-above-normal precipitation in 

eastern Texas have both led to streamflow 

values that are consistently within the 

90th percentile or higher. Several rivers in 

Louisiana set records for flood stage following 

the August flooding event. 

The summer in the Southern Region started 

off a bit on the dry side in June. In July, 

conditions remained dry in the South, but 

the three northern states experienced a 

slightly wetter than normal month. In August, 

precipitation totals rose dramatically in eastern 

Texas and southern Arkansas. In Louisiana, 

a stalled low-pressure system on Aug 11–13 

delivered between 15–30 inches of rain in just 

three days. In fact, some stations in southern 

Louisiana received up to 20 inches of rain in 

just 24 hours. 

Overall, temperatures averaged between 

2°–3°F above normal for most of the period 

spanning from June to August. Temperatures 

in Tennessee and Mississippi were slightly 

higher with a majority of stations averaging 

between 2°–4°F above normal. Both states 

had temperature rankings in the top 20 on 

record for June through August. For the 

region as a whole, the three-month period 

ranks 15th warmest with a regional average 

temperature of 81.64°F. 
Contact: Luigi Romolo (lromolo@srcc.lsu.edu)

Southern Regional Climate Center

#regionalclimateoutlooks

Southern Region

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook | September 2016

Regional – Impacts for June–August 2016

Earth Scan Lab at Louisiana State University

www.esl.lsu.edu

NOAA/NWS Climate Prediction Center

www.cpc.noaa.gov

NOAA/NOS Gulf of Mexico Coastal Services Center

www.csc.noaa.gov

NOAA Gulf of Mexico Collaboration Team

www.regions.noaa.gov

NOAA/NESDIS National Centers for Environmental 

Information

www.ncei.noaa.gov

NOAA/NWS Southern Region 

www.srh.noaa.gov

Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program

www.southernclimate.org

Southern Regional Climate Center

www.srcc.lsu.edu

Southern Region Partners

According to the Climate Prediction Center, fall (October to December) temperatures for 

the Southern Region are expected to be above normal in all six states, with the exception of 

Tennessee and eastern Mississippi. Precipitation totals are also expected to be lower than 

normal, with slightly higher chances of dry conditions in eastern Texas, southern Mississippi, 

and Louisiana. Image courtesy of the Climate Prediction Center (www.cpc.ncept.noaa.gov).

Louisiana Flood of 2016

Over the period spanning August 11–14, a semistationary and well-organized low-pressure system stalled over southern Louisiana producing a 

historic flood that is regarded by many as the worst U.S. natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Precipitation totals from this event ranged 

from 15 to 25 inches in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, to over 30 inches in Livingston Parish. Some stations recorded between 15 to 20 inches in just 

24 hours. In the city of Lafayette, the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) station set a record for the highest two-day total of any USCRN 

station in the contiguous United States, recording a two-day total of 22.89 inches. As a result of the heavy rainfall, many rivers rose well above 

flood stage, setting record water levels and flooding communities across the south-central parishes. The Amite River, for example, crested at just 

over 46 feet, a value that smashed the previous record by over 5 feet. Some of the cities that were hardest hit by the flooding included: Baton 

Rouge, Lafayette, Baker, and Denham Springs. Flooding resulted in the evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Rescue efforts were hampered by 

flooded roads and an inundated Interstate 12, but a group of Louisiana boat owners volunteered to assist in rescue efforts and emergency supply 

distribution. This group, known by the media as the Cajun Navy, responded to social media evacuation requests, and it is believed to have rescued 

over 1,000 residents and pets. Hundreds of homeless residents took shelter in local churches. The city of Baton Rouge also opened up the River 

Center Entertainment Complex as a shelter for flood victims. Reports are indicating that as many as 140,000 homes were damaged by this flooding 

event. Thirteen parishes in Louisiana were declared disaster areas so that residents could apply for disaster aid from FEMA. It is believed that over 

100,000 residents have already applied. In addition to the above, the flooding event had a major impact on schools. As many as 250,000 children 

were out of school, some for as long as three weeks. 

As of September 15, 2016, there have been 

a total of 10 named storms and 4 hurricanes. 

These values are as expected for this time of 

year based on previously forecasted storm 

counts. To date, no named 2016 storms have 

impacted the Southern Region.

CPC Three-Month Outlook 2016 Hurricane Season

Above: The Baton Rouge River Center shifted from hosting concerts and events to hosting homeless flood victims (left). The Cajun Navy seen here proved invaluable in 

its relentless and tenacious efforts to rescue stranded residents and pets (center). Downtown Denham Springs underwater after historic precipitation totals devastated 

southern Louisiana (right). Photo Credits: Courtesy of The Advocate, Left–Elizabeth Crisp, Center–Travis Spradling, Right–Patrick Dennis, 

(www.theadvocate.com).

Temperature Precipitation 

EC = Equal Chances

A = Above normal temperatures

B = Below normal rainfall

Outlook for October–December 2016