Northern Hemisphere Warmer in October; Hong Kong Records Heat

October was broadly warmer than normal across many Northern Hemisphere regions, with U.S. examples including Iowa (avg ~57°F, about 6°F above normal), Minot (49°F, 5.1°F above its 118‑year mean), and the Twin Cities (one of their warmest Octobers, about +5–7°F statewide) that produced hundreds of record highs. Hong Kong recorded its hottest October on record with a monthly mean of 27.4°C. Precipitation patterns were mixed: Iowa and much of Minnesota were drier than normal with 1–2 inch deficits and some return of moderate drought, while Minot received 2.71 inches (≈1.62 inches above its long‑term average); several U.S. locations also saw little or no October snowfall. Short‑term forecasts and climate outlooks (NOAA/CPC and state forecasters) point to continued above‑normal temperatures into early–mid November for many areas, though regional cold fronts are expected this weekend in places like Lubbock and stronger cooling by Sunday with overnight lows dropping into the 20s–30s. Local impacts included more than 195 temperature records across Minnesota and a late‑season lack of measurable snow in some markets. Scientists noted that human‑driven climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, underscored by records such as Hong Kong’s.