The numbers are in and According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October ranks as the third coolest on record for the lower 48.
    
This is based on the data going back to 1895.
   
The average October temperature was 50.8º nationwide.
    
KTVO’s weather team recorded an average temperature of 48.8º at KTVO, or two degrees below the national average.
    
Statewide, Missouri recorded the 5th coldest October and Iowa the 3rd.
   
Oklahoma recorded the coldest Ooctober ever and ten other states ranked in the top five coldest.
    
All regions of the United States were cooler than normal with the exception of the Southeast.

The Climate Prediction Center shows a 33% to 36% chance that average temperatures for the months of December, January and February will be warmer than normal. 

As for precipitation, October ranks as the wettest on record for the lower 48.

The nationwide average precipitation was 4.15”.  KTVO’s weather team recorded 8.38” at KTVO.
    
Iowa recorded their wettest October ever and the second wettest for Missouri.
    
Arkansas and Louisiana also ranked as the wettest October ever.
    
45% of the United States had moderately-to-extremely wet conditions at the end of the month.
    
October 2009 is the first month since December 2007 that no region in the nation recorded below normal precipitation.

The Climate Prediction Center's precipitation outlook shows there is an equal chance for a below normal, normal or above normal winter in terms of precipitation accumulation.