Drought in Van Buren, Tennessee

An unusually persistent upper level ridge of high pressure centered near and over the Tennessee Valley caused a prolonged period of record to near-record heat and dry weather throughout Middle Tennessee in September 2019 that continued into October 2019. This heatwave set new records for warmest temperatures ever measured in the month of October at both Nashville (99 on October 2 and 3) and Crossville (91 on October 1 and 3). The record dry weather in September continued into October and resulted in severe (D2) drought conditions expanding across much of Middle Tennessee during the month. However, rainfall increased and became more widespread in middle and late October, resulting in the severe drought conditions ending across the area by the end of the month.