Ongoing drought also intensified in the South and Southeast last month
October is typically a month for crisp weather and fall jackets, but for many across the U.S., it felt more like bathing suit season.
![Las Cruces, New Mexico, October 2016. The state had it's warmest October on record in 2016, with an average temperature increase of 5.8 degrees F. (Image credit: Woody Hibbard/flickr Creative Commons at https://flic.kr/p/MN8ALX) Las Cruces, New Mexico, October 2016. The state had it's warmest October on record in 2016, with an average temperature increase of 5.8 degrees F.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/PHOTO%20-%20%20%20View%20of%20Las%20Cruces%20New%20Mexico%20October%20sunset%20and%20mountains%20-%20taken%20101316%20-%20Credit%20Woody%20Hibbard%20-%20flickr%20creative%20commons%20%20-%202048%20x%201463%20-%20Landscape.jpg?itok=A5deztRd)
Las Cruces, New Mexico, October 2016. The state had it's warmest October on record in 2016, with an average temperature increase of 5.8 degrees F. (Image credit: Woody Hibbard/flickr Creative Commons at https://flic.kr/p/MN8ALX)