Though it may come as no shock to Tucsonans, the month of November brought abnormally warm weather.
Factoring in both high and low temperatures, the average temperature last month was 64.8 degrees, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Rob Howlett. Thatβs 5 degrees above normal.
Plus, eight records were either tied or broken for above-average temperatures, Howlett said.
βThere was a stretch there where we had five in a row from the 16th through the 20th,β Howlett said. βThis heat β we just canβt break out of it.β
Last month tied with 2012 as the fourth warmest November. The three Novembers with higher average temperatures were 2017, 2007 and 1999 with 69.1 degrees, 65.7 degrees and 65.4 degrees respectively.
And sticking to the hot and dry theme that we saw most of the summer, Tucson experienced below-normal precipitation last month with rain β 0.15 inches β recorded on only one day.
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December is expected to bring much of the same kind of weather β above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall.
βWeβre in a La NiΓ±a winter and that typically means weβll be warmer than average with below-normal rainfall,β Howlett said.
Although there is a chance that Tucson could get some rain in December, more often than not, La NiΓ±a winters here are warm and dry.
βThereβs decent confidence that thatβs how itβs going to shake out,β Howlett said.
Catalina State Park, the gem of the Tucson area, had its roots in a family ranch established in 1935. Produced by Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Nov. 10 photos: Snow near Tucson and throughout Arizona
Nov. 10 photos: Snow in the Santa Catalina Moutnains
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Dec 27, 2021
Rebekah Verduzco, right, and her boyfriend Fino Ariston make three snowmen, representing them and their upcoming baby, near Upper Green Mountain Trailhead in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Snow covers a burn scar from the Bighorn Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Ice sticks to branches and leaves with a little bit of fall color in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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An early Winter storm brought snowfall to the higher elevations in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson and throughout Arizona early on Nov. 9, 2020. Video by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Low flying clouds cover portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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A Steller Jay grabs a peanut off the a wall at The Living Rainbow Gift Shop in Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
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A worker shovels snow off N. Mt. Lemmon Rd. in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Rachel Steers, family member and employee at The Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin Pizzeria and Eatery, shovels snow off the front porch of the cookie cabin, 12781 N. Sabino Canyon Park, in Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
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Snow in the Grand Canyon on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Nearly four inches of snow fell in the Grand Canyon Village overnight.
National Park Service
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Nov 10, 2020
All areas on the North Rim, including SR 67, the North Kaibab Trailhead, and the Scenic Roads remain CLOSED until further notice as a result of a winter storm on Nov. 9, 2020, according to the National Park Service.
National Park Service
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Nov 10, 2020
More than two-inches of snow in Strawberry, Ariz., near Payson, on Nov. 9, 2020.
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Snow at the Pinetop office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Nov. 9, 2020.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
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Snow in the Flagstaff area as seen from O'Leary Lookout just east of the San Francisco Peaks in Coconino National Forest on Nov. 9, 2020.
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Ice sticks to a tree trunk off N. General Hitchcock Hwy. near the Palisades Visitor Center in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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A snowman rests on a wood fence across from Mount Lemmon's Ski Valley in Mt. Lemmon, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020. The Mt. Lemmon General Store in Summerhaven got about 1-2 inches of snow early Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Visitors walk past the Mount Lemmon Ski Valley sign on Ski Valley in Mt. Lemmon, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020. The Mt. Lemmon General Store in Summerhaven got about 1-2 inches of snow early Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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A vehicle drives past a parking pullout sign covered with snow and ice near Incinerator Ridge Rd. in the Santa Catalina Mountains outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Two people walk their dogs outside of Mount Lemmon's Ski Valley in Mt. Lemmon, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020. The Mt. Lemmon General Store in Summerhaven got about 1-2 inches of snow early Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
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Debbie Fagan, owner of The Living Rainbow Gift Shop, places peanuts on a wall for birds in Summerhaven, Ariz. on Nov. 9, 2020. The Mt. Lemmon General Store in Summerhaven got about 1-2 inches of snow early Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Snow can be seen just before mile marker 16 and at elevations higher than 6,000 feet. The weather service also noted Tucson International Airport recorded its first measurable rainfall since Aug. 29, a stretch of 71 days.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @gloriaeknott