July 2011 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, July 2011 in Hood River was either average in temperature, or slightly cooler, depending on how you look at it. Also, it was cloudier and wetter, with above average winds.

My station's average temperature (67.3°) was exactly the same as the long term July average (yep, 67.3°), but cooler than the more recent (2001-2010) average of 70.5°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 66.2°.

At my station, the maximum temperature was 94°, and the minimum was 47°. Official Hood River highs and lows were 92° and 44°. The high heat index for the month was 90°, and the low wind chill was 47°.

Solar radiation averaged 613 Ly/day, compared to an average July solar radiation of 668 Ly/day. The maximum solar radiation, 741, occurred on July 8th.

Official precipitation totaled 0.34", compared to an average of 0.22". My station recorded 0.33". The high rain day was the 25th, when 0.12" of rain fell.

The 24 hour average wind speed at my somewhat sheltered weather station was 4.4 mph, compared to an average wind speed of 4.1 mph for the month. The peak wind gust was 29 mph on the 7th. Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were undoubtedly higher. Barometric pressure peaked at 30.17", with a low of 29.65".

There was 1 local weather record set in July. On July 25th, 0.12" of rain fell, breaking the old record for the date of 0.03" (1983). At 0.03", this was clearly a record just waiting to be broken.

These monthly summaries use data from my weather station located near May and Rand Streets in Hood River. To view my weather station's data for July 2011, click here.

For official Hood River data, and historical averages/records, the data comes from both the manually read NOAA station at MCAREC, and HOXO, the automated station located right next to MCAREC.

As an aside, but definitely related to weather, the Columbia River ran very high and fast this April thru most of the summer, due to large Spring snowpacks. Graphs of flows and stuff from USGS are here. And below, a historical video look at the mighty Columbia, produced back in 1947, but still fascinating. Thanks Dan in the weather chat room for the original link.