October 2024 was both the second-warmest and second-driest October ever recorded in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The 48 contiguous U.S. states saw an average temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit in October, 4.9 degrees warmer than the 20th century average, according to NOAA. Only one previous October, 1963, was hotter in the 130 years of NOAA’s records. Multiple states experienced their outright warmest October on record, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Utah, while California, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming all saw their second warmest. The month was among the 10 warmest Octobers for a...