September ends with rainfall surplus, but LI still 6.9 inches below annual precipitation levels, data show

Following a string of precipitation deficits starting in April, September was the first month to end with a surplus, 0.45 of an inch.

That's according to National Weather Service data maintained for Long Island MacArthur Airport.

September clocked in as warmer than average, with the monthly mean temperature -- 70.9 degrees -- registering 5.3 above the norm.

Thanks to Friday's rainfall of 1.64 inches at the airport, October, as of day-end Sunday, had seen 1.9 inches of rain, which is 1.42 inches above normal. And, as plenty of Long Islanders may have noticed, the monthly temperature has dipped to the cool side, averaging out to 55.4 degrees, which is 3.6 degrees below the norm.

Despite those rainfall gains, the yearly precipitation total is 6.91 inches below normal, said News 12 Long Island meteorologist Rich Hoffman.

Since May most of the Island has been in moderate drought, the least intensive drought category of the U.S. Drought Monitor.