NJ Escapes October Unharmed [AUDIO]

NEW JERSEY 101.5

Now that it's November weather experts can officially declare that October 2013 was disaster-free in New Jersey. With no worries of a superstorm or record-breaking snowfall, children actually got the opportunity to trick-or-treat on Halloween.

Last month was very calm in many respects, according to State Climatologist Dave Robinson at Rutgers University.

There was only one notable weather event - the nor'easter that drenched the southern part of the state a couple of weeks ago. Still, the region's rainfall totaled an inch below average.

"As you get into north Jersey, it was exceptionally dry," said Robinson. "The northern half of the state had their fifth driest October in the last century."

It was a mild month in terms of temperatures, but one that was front-loaded. The first two weeks of the month welcomed t-shirts and shorts, before the temperatures dropped each day to average and below average levels. October 2013 was the 19th warmest since 1895.

"This was an October that allowed us to catch our breath compared to the October of 2011 with the snow and October 2012 with Sandy," added Robinson.

He noted the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't end until late November, so there is still a chance for New Jersey to deal with tropical weather. However, the tropics are going through one of their least active seasons on record.

New Jersey experienced heavy rains from Tropical Storm Andrea in early June, which helped make it the wettest month ever in the Garden State.