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October 2023 Summary – Seventh Warmest on Record

November 5, 2023

Blue Hill Observatory October 2023 Summary:  October 2023 was much warmer and drier than average. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the…

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Blue Hill Observatory October 2023 Summary: 

October 2023 was much warmer and drier than average. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 56.2 deg F was 4.9 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for October, and it was 4.0 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The month was the seventh warmest October on record. The average maximum temperature of 65.5 deg F was 4.5 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and it tied as the sixth warmest on record. The average minimum temperature of 49.4 deg F tied as the third warmest on record for October, and it was 5.4 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. The highest temperature was 81F on the 3rd and 4th. The lowest temperature was 35F on the 31st, which was the first temperature below 40F of the season and the latest date ever observed for a temperature below 40F. The monthly minimum temperature of 35F tied as the fifth warmest with five other years. Another warm day occurred on the 28th with a high temperature of 80F, which was one of the latest readings this warm ever observed so late in the season. Total precipitation was 1.97 inches, which was 3.52 inches less than the 30-year normal, reversing the generally wet pattern during the summer months. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 0.76 inches during the passage of a strong coastal storm on the 21st, during which a minimum sea-level pressure of 29.09 inches, the lowest for the month, was observed. There were no thunderstorm days during October. The average water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was the fifth highest on record for October at 12.1 mb. The mean wind speed was only 9.6 mph, which was by far the lowest on record for the month, and the prevailing wind direction was from the southwest. The highest wind gust was 40 mph from the northwest during the rain storm on the 21st. October bright sunshine was close to average with 186.0 hours, or 56 percent of possible, which was one percent more than the long-term average for the month.

BHO Highest October Approximated 24-Hour Mean Temperature, deg F (1885-2023):

1) 59.2 in 2017
2) 58.4 in 1947
3) 56.9 in 2007
4) 56.6 in 1971
5) 56.5 in 1963
6) 56.3 in 2021
7) 56.2 in 2023
8) 55.7 in 1946

BHO Highest October Average Maximum Temperature, deg F (1885-2023):

1) 70.1 in 1947
2) 68.5 in 1963
3) 68.0 in 2017
4) 66.4 in 1946
5) 66.1 in 2007
6) 65.5 in 1931
   65.5 in 2023
8) 65.4 in 1971

BHO Highest October Average Minimum Temperature, deg F (1885-2023):

1) 51.7 in 2017
2) 49.5 in 2007
3) 49.4 in 2021
   49.4 in 2023
5) 49.2 in 1971
6) 49.1 in 1947
7) 48.2 in 1913

BHO Latest Maximum Temperature 80 deg F and Above (1885-2023):

1) 81 on 2 November 1950
2) 81 on 28 October 1919
   80 on 28 October 2023
4) 80 on 27 October 1947
   83 on 27 October 1963
6) 80 on 26 October 1963
7) 81 on 25 October 1963

BHO Latest First Minimum Temperature Below 40 deg F (1885-2023):

1) 31 October 2023 (35F)
2) 24 October 2013 (36F)
   24 October 2021 (37F)
4) 22 October 1955 (34F)
5) 21 October 2005 (39F)
6) 20 October 1960 (38F)
7) 19 October 2014 (39F)

BHO Warmest October Monthly Minimum Temperature, deg F (1885-2023):

1) 37 in 2021
2) 36 in 1971
   36 in 2004
   36 in 2022
5) 35 in 1938
   35 in 1994
   35 in 1998
   35 in 2017
   35 in 2019
   35 in 2023

BHO Highest October Average Water Vapor Pressure, mb (1932-2023):

1) 13.2 in 2017
2) 12.9 in 2021
3) 12.7 in 2007
4) 12.4 in 1971
5) 12.1 in 2023
6) 11.9 in 1990
   11.9 in 2012

BHO Lowest October Average Wind Speed, mph (1885-2023):

1) 9.6 in 2023
2) 11.2 in 2013
   11.2 in 2022
4) 11.3 in 2020
5) 11.4 in 2021

Mike Iacono
Chief Scientist
Blue Hill Observatory

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Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center · Legal

Data Use & Privacy Policy

Please read the full Policy before accessing Observatory data · Effective January 1, 2025

Notice: By accessing, downloading, or using any Blue Hill Observatory data or services, you unconditionally accept and agree to be bound by this Policy in its entirety. If you do not agree, you may not access or use Observatory data.
Effective January 1, 2025 · Milton, Massachusetts · bluehill.org
Part I — Data Use Policy
§ 01

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All observational records, compiled datasets, metadata, database structures, and related materials provided by the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center are the exclusive property of the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center. The Observatory has maintained continuous weather observations at the summit of Great Blue Hill since 1885, and the entirety of that record — its compilation, structure, curation, and organization — constitutes a proprietary database protected under applicable United States law, including copyright law and common law database protections.

All rights not expressly granted in this Policy are reserved by the Observatory. No access to or use of Observatory data shall be construed as a waiver of any rights or as a license to use data beyond the scope expressly stated herein.

§ 02

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This Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. For interactions with international users, this Policy shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable local law.

Any dispute arising from or related to this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. By accessing Observatory data, all users consent to personal jurisdiction in Massachusetts and waive any objection to the venue or inconvenience of such forum.

§ 03

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All other uses require prior written authorization from the Observatory.

§ 04

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Any use of Observatory data in any published, presented, or publicly distributed work must include the following verbatim acknowledgment:

“Data provided by the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center, Milton, Massachusetts. Continuous weather observations since 1885.”

Failure to include proper attribution is a material violation of this Policy.

§ 05

Prohibited Uses

Unless explicitly authorized in writing, Users may not:

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§ 06

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§ 07

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§ 08

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§ 11–12

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Information is used solely for: responding to inquiries and licensing requests; monitoring and enforcing compliance with this Policy; improving website performance; and communicating Observatory news to opted-in users. The Observatory does not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Data access records may be retained indefinitely for compliance and enforcement purposes.

§ 13

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§ 14–16

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Part III — General Provisions
§ 17–20

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The Observatory reserves the right to modify this Policy at any time. Updated versions will be posted at bluehill.org. Continued use of Observatory data following any modification constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy. This Policy constitutes the entire agreement between the User and the Observatory. Questions and licensing inquiries: Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center, Milton, Massachusetts — data@bluehill.org

By accessing, downloading, or using any Blue Hill Observatory data or services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Policy.
Effective January 1, 2025 · Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center · Milton, Massachusetts
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