September 2011 Revisited

Compared to historical averages, September 2011 in Hood River was hotter and drier, with average sunshine and wind speeds.

In a summer that was notable for a lack of heat waves, September finally came to the rescue. Starting with temperatures in the low 80's on Sept 3rd, the heat arrived and stayed until Sept 13th, setting 3 temperature records (see below). Better late than never, and with cooler evening temperatures, the heat was quite tolerable. Although, we have A/C, so your tolerance mileage may have varied.

My station's average temperature of 65.6° was much warmer than the long term September average of 60.0°, and also warmer than the more recent (2001-2010) average of 61.7°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 64.7°.

This was officially the warmest September since 1990, and the 3rd warmest September on record for Hood River. The warmest was 65.4° in 1967, so if you go by my weather station's average, this WAS the warmest September ever.

At my station, the maximum temperature was 98°, and the minimum was 41°. The high heat index for the month was 97°, and the low wind chill was 41°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 96° and 38°.

Solar radiation averaged 421 Ly/day, compared to an average September solar radiation of 422 Ly/day. The maximum solar radiation, 560, occurred on Sept 2nd.

Official precipitation totaled 0.08", compared to an average of 1.02". My station also recorded 0.08". The high rain day was 0.04" on Sept 16th.

The 24 hour average wind speed at my somewhat sheltered weather station was 2.5 mph, compared to an average September wind speed of 2.7 mph.

The peak wind gust was 29 mph on the 13th and 25th. Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were undoubtedly higher. Barometric pressure peaked at 30.38", with a low of 29.60".

There were 3 local weather records set in September. On the 7th, the high reached 96°, breaking the old record of 94 in 1944. On the 11th, it cranked up to 96° again, breaking the record of 95° (1990). Then, on the next morning, as the heat wave fizzled out, the low only reached 65°, setting a new "high low" record for the date (old record 62° in 2007).

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 September 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.

Coming up in November to a planet near you. The Mars Curiosity rover mission.