The first half of August continued the trend of warm and wet weather that has dominated our entire summer season. The average temperature so far this month has been 71.9 degrees which is 1.5 degrees above average. The first 15 days of this month were the 33rd warmest such period on record. Plus, for the summer as a whole, the average temperature has been running about 2 degrees above normal and if the last half of this month continues at this pace, the summer of 2011 may end up near the top 10 warmest since 1881.
The first half of August was also very wet with 4.03 inches measured officially at Hector Int’l. Most of that rain fell on August 1 when 2.87 inches of rain was recorded.
That brings the total rain for the summer up to 12.79 inches which is nearly 5 inches above average and makes this summer, to this point, the 10th wettest since 1881.
Daryl: now it has been a warm summer and now it seems like the heat is seatling down somewhat. and real wet summer yes. i notice some yellow spots on some trees and sumac changing. i know we have talked about this many times but i wonder if the colors will be early or later? or how pretty they will be? if we keep getting rain again will the colors be real rich in color? if it don’t rain as much could they change a little early and still be good in color? i think some of the trees are in shock with all of the sudden the rainy pattern has slowed down. wonder if fall will be wet and stuff. hm
Outside of my specialty, I wouldn’t venture a guess.