July 2012 Revisited

Here's July 2012, compared to historical averages:

Above average: Rain, wind
Average or near: Temperature
Below Average: Solar radiation
 
In July, my station's average temperature of 69.4° was considerably warmer than the long term July average of 67.3°, but cooler than the more recent (2001-2011) average of 70.2°.  The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 68.7°.  Because of the discrpency between long term and short term averages, I'm calling this July: Average temperature.  You can call it something different if you would like.  In any event, it was really nice to finally have Summer arrive again.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 88°, and the low temp was 45°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 93° and 42°.  The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 92°, and the low wind chill was 45°.

Solar radiation averaged 632 Ly/day, compared to an average July solar radiation of 663 Ly/day.   I think this was probably influenced by the couple of thunderstorms we had, and generally a little more cloudy conditions overall.

Regarding those thunderstorms, I had 0.83" for a monthly precip total at my station, and HOXO officially recorded 0.89", compared to an historical average of 0.22".  The official high rain day at HOXO was 0.40" on the 24th, which is odd, because my station didn't record anything that day.   I have no way to explain that, other than that's what thunderstorms sometimes do:  they can be very localized.   Or something.

Average wind speeds were way above average; in fact, the highest July on average since 2001, and probably even earlier.   The 24 hour average wind speed at my weather station was 5.6 mph, compared to an average July wind speed of 4.1 mph. The peak wind gust was 32 mph.   Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.21", and the low barometric was 29.68".

There was one local weather record set this month. On the 19th, Hood River officially received 0.39" of rain, breaking the old record of 0.20" in 1987.  The reason?  Thunderstorms.   Which we've been having a little more often in the summer, but not often enough for my liking (my apologies to the wildfire fighters).

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 2012, 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.

Not only was the West rowdy (see previous blog post); it was Wild.  And to tame that Wilderness, railroads (and steam engines) were involved.   Check out the "Age of Steam" week from the Historic Hood River photo blog, for some local Hood River historical context.