Our pattern of Wide Weather ‘Extremes’ continues across the world. We’re seeing patterns of floods and droughts along with record-breaking temperatures across many areas.

The peak of the hurricane season is typically around early to mid September. However, on Friday, Oct. 16, monster storm, Hurricane Patricia, moved into western Mexico.

Forecasters called Category 5 Hurricane Patricia the “strongest hurricane to ever form at sea in the Western Hemisphere” as winds were slightly above 200 miles per hour near the coastline of Mexico. Patricia’s winds did drop off a bit as estimates were close to 165 miles per hour when it made landfall. Amazingly, as the storm was forming in the Pacific, it went from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours, another record in terms of intensification. As Patricia moved onshore, the storm stayed away from major populated areas and went into the mountainous regions of Mexico.

Patricia weakened dramatically as it moved across Mexico, but the remnants of the storm, combined with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, broke daily rainfall records in Dallas, San Antonio, Waco, Houston and other cities in the Lone Star State. Houston picked up 5.54 inches on Saturday, October 17, smashing the previous daily record of 2.13 inches. On Oct. 22 and 23, Corsicana, Texas, received a whopping 20 inches of rainfall with the majority falling within 24 hours. There were unconfirmed reports of some areas receiving 30 inches of rain from that storm. That’s more than what normally falls for an entire season in Coeur d’Alene. Our average annual precipitation is 26.77 inches.

There was also widespread flooding across southeastern Texas as rivers and creeks were overflowing. Torrential rains near Corsicana literally derailed a freight train which was carrying cement. Fortunately, the two people on the train were rescued.

Texas has been dealing with unbelievable extremes this year. For most of 2015, the Lone Star State has suffered with some of the worst levels of drought. Then, over the Memorial Day holiday in late May, heavy rain and flooding was blamed for 15 deaths. After the storm, very little rain fell until the remnants of Patricia brought record rains and flooding.

In terms of other extreme hurricane and typhoons in recent years, the strongest one to make landfall was Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The massive storm hit the Philippines with wind speeds of 195 miles per hour when it moved onshore. Nearly $700 million in damage was reported in the Philippines, Vietnam and South China.

The costliest natural disaster in history was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It hit Louisiana and Mississippi on Aug. 23 as a Category 3 hurricane and lasted for eight days. Total damage was about $108 billion. Also, during the season of 2005, there were an all-time record 28 named storms. The normal for a season in the Atlantic and Caribbean is 11.

In 1998, the most powerful storm of that season was Hurricane Mitch. It affected Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and a large portion of Central America. It has sustained winds of 180 miles per hour. It was the second deadliest Atlantic hurricane in history as it was a slow-moving system. It formed on Oct. 22, 1998, and finally dissipated on Nov. 9. Nearly 75 inches of rain fell across Honduras and Nicaragua from Mitch resulted in $6 billion in damage.

We all know about the epic drought in California. Records rains did fall in Southern California in September, but the northern and central portions of the state has seen only small amounts of moisture. Rain is desperately needed, especially in the central parts of the Golden State as lowering water tables has led to some sinking of land. It does appear that the northern and central portions of California will see some much-needed showers in the coming weeks, but I don’t yet see the heavy El Nino-enhanced rainfall for that region.

In our part of the world, after one of the driest periods in history from June 2 through late October, weather patterns are starting to change. A series of storms brought some the heaviest rains to the Inland Northwest since June 1. After a brief dry period, I see more shower activity through the rest of November.

At least for now, storms are forecast to come into North Idaho from the Gulf of Alaska, so we will probably see some measurable snow in the higher mountains. Don’t be too surprised to if some of that snow makes its way into the lower elevations, especially over the next few weeks. You may want to think about getting those snow tires and snow blowers ready.

Normally, during El Nino years, our moisture comes from the warmer central Pacific Ocean. So far, most of the storms will be moving in from the north. This is why I didn’t drop snowfall totals too much from last year. But, storms conditions should start turning milder later this fall and early winter.

Contact Randy Mann at randy@longrangeweather.com