October 2020 Review
2020-11-09 (Susana Freitas)
October 2020 was classified as cold and rainy in mainland Portugal (Figure 1).
It was the 2nd coldest October in the last 20 years (2003 was the coldest). The average value of the average air temperature, 15.36 ° C, was -0.85 ° C lower than normal. Air temperature values lower than those currently recorded have occurred in 25% of the years since 1931.
The average value of minimum air temperature, 9.88 ° C, was -1.31 ° C below the normal value, being the 9th lowest since 1931 and the lowest in the last 20 years. The average value of the maximum air temperature, 20.84 ° C, with an anomaly of -0.39 ° C, was the 3rd lowest value since 2000.
October was marked by some variability in air temperature values, with average temperature in general being lower than the normal monthly value, except between October 6th and 11th.
The precipitation average value amount in October, 119.7 mm, corresponds to 120% of normal value 1971-2000 (98.2 mm). We note the very high precipitation values that during this month, wich occurred on 19th and 20th, throughout the territory but in particular in Central and South regions, associated with the approach and passage of the Barbara depression. These days were exceeded the highest daily precipitation values (09-09 UTC) in the following weather stations: Évora, Portalegre, Portel, Zebreira, Tomar, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Viseu.
There was a significant reduction in area and intensity of the meteorological drought situation throughout the territory, ending even in North and Center regions and Alto Alentejo. In regions as Baixo Alentejo and Algarve, the class of weak drought still remains in many places, totaling 12% of the territory of mainland Portugal.
Imagens associadas
Figure 1: Temperature and precipitation in October (period 1931 - 2020)
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