How goes your summer?
As we approach the first days of August, it will be hard to realize that summer is well on its way and those vacation plans need to be made. Hopefully, you have been able to enjoy some of the nice weather we have had. Summer heat this year is widespread.
The weather headlines are all about the intense heat in Europe and Japan. Wildfires are burning in Sweden and Japan is experiencing some of the hottest weather ever recorded.
In our country, the heat out West continues to plague firefighters trying to get a handle on the forest fires that have consumed large portions of many western states.
After a wet start to summer and two short periods of heat and humidity, we have been fortunate to have had some really great summer weather.
Sunny days with pleasant temperatures and cool nights have made for some great outdoor activities after each warm period. So far we have experienced seven days with temperatures of 90 degrees or better. This is just about normal for a summer in our area.
The real joy has been the great sleeping weather we are experiencing as windows have been able to be left open as most areas have had a good number of nights with temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s.
In the mountains, we have even had several July mornings in the 40s.
Area gardens are also doing well as we have had plenty of June and early July rains, along with a lot of sunshine and a few humid nights, which seem to be good for the garden vegetables. Corn, tomatoes and peppers are looking good and taste good as well.
What lies ahead? August temperatures average 82.6 degrees for the high and 60.3 for the low. These are two degrees cooler than July and we are statistically past the warmest average temperature of 86 degrees, which occurs from July 18 through the 22. Average temperatures are now on the way down to their winter bottom in January. The warmest August temperature in our area was 102 degrees on Aug. 4, 1930. Our coldest August morning saw a low temperature of 34 degrees on Aug. 29, 1934.
The climate scientists and forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center are forecasting August temperatures to average just a bit above normal and rainfall for the month to be about average, which is four inches. Most of our rain in August comes from afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms.
Occasionally a hurricane comes close enough to produce some impressive one day rains. July 22, 1980, saw 3.82 inches of rain fall and Aug. 5, 1956, we recorded 3.40 inches. Our all time 24 hour record rainfall occurred during Hurricane Hazel on Oct. 15, 1954, when Uniontown recorded 4.60 inches of rain.
Hurricanes this season may be less intense in the Atlantic basin as an El Nino weather pattern appears to be developing and these tend to bring cooler Atlantic water temperatures, which help dampen down hurricane activity. After last year蘑菇视频 devastating storms, this could be welcome news.
Enjoy your summer and make plans to enjoy our nice weather. Before long, the chilly winds from the north will be on their way south.