November Weather Forecast Should Make Some Happy

November is in full swing, and if you're someone who doesn't like the cold and snow, the November weather forecast should make you happy. On the opposite side of that, if you're someone who loves early snow, this forecast isn't for you. Regardless, most of the U.S. will see similar weather trends this November, so buckle up for a mild, not wild, month.

The experts at the weather channel have released their November 2024 weather forecast, and it's pretty warm across the board.

"T​hose hoping November might deliver increasing bouts of early-season snow and cold might have to be patient since the forecast is shaping up to be a mild one in much of the Lower 48," they stated, adding that "fall's final full month could be warmer than average in much of the central and eastern U.S. A broad area from the Rockies to the Appalachians and New England is favored to see above-average temperatures in November, according to the updated outlook released Wednesday by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2."

The hottest areas of the country, or at least the areas that will see the biggest divergence from the norm, are parts of the Midwest and Plains, including from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Oklahoma City and Dallas-Fort Worth. All three of those cities have already experienced a top 10 warmest fall as of Oct. 28, and Minneapolis-St. Paul are expected to have their warmest autumn on record, the Weather Channel notes.

Of course, just because we have a mild forecast for this fall, that doesn't mean it won't ever be cold. It will just be warmer than expected. If anything, think of it as true winters being a bit shorter this season across the country. No matter where you live, chances are, your November won't quite feel like November this time around. Time will tell if that trend continues for December.

As with the rest of the country, November is expected to be warmer in the Midwest than average, according to the weather experts. The Midwest is also in for a wetter November. Precipitation is expected to be near or slightly above average "from the Great Lakes to the Ohio and mid-Mississippi valleys and portions of the Central and Southern Plains." It was dry in these areas in October, so that's a change.

For the Northeast, November is also looking to be warmer, with parts of the state looking at slightly more precipitation and other parts slightly less. In general, precipitation looks average for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, but all three states are looking to have a warm month.

Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it's part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I've certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?

Before we get to the main tips, let's get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It's simple but important. You don't want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.

Another mistake some people make is not taking "watches" seriously. For example, you might see that there's a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it's just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don't do it. "A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service explains. We'll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.

Let's get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.

A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, "a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely." A watch is where "the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain." Finally, an advisory means, "hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely."

During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. "The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes," the National Weather Service says. Also, you don't want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don't have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to "use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris."

Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, "An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries," the National Weather Service says. "Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags."

This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they're right. "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line," the National Weather Service advises.

Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. "Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures," the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of "water or non-alcoholic fluids."

Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to "leave immediately if ordered." They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to "take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can," and "stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors."