July 2013 Revisited

July 2013 stood out, in these mostly above average ways:

Above average:  Wind, temperature, solar radiation, humidity
Average or near: Nothing
Below Average: Rainfall

My station's average temperature of 72.1° was way warmer than the long term July average of 67.3°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 70.2°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 71.4°.  This was the 11th consecutive month in Hood River to experience above average temperatures.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 94°, and the low temp was 51°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 94° and 47°.

The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 94°, and the low wind chill was 51°.

Solar radiation averaged 691 Ly/day, compared to an average July of 661 Ly/day.

My station ended up with absolutely no rainfall for the month, and HOXO also officially recorded absolutely nothing.  An average July receives 0.22". 

July was, to put it mildly, windy.   In fact, this was the windiest July since 1989, as measured at HOXO.   Those who love the wind were screaming with joy, while those of us who would like an occasional calm day in the summer, were just screaming, but couldn't be heard (because of the wind).  Still, it was good for business in Hood River.

The 24 hour average wind speed (for the month) at my weather station was 5.7 mph, compared to an average July wind speed of 4.3 mph.  The peak wind gust was 34 mph on the 4th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.13", and the low barometric was 29.74".   This was the typical boring July lack of barometric movement, except for the daily diurnal pattern brought about by atmospheric tides.

There were 3 local weather records set this month.  They were all "high low" records, and they were all in the first 3 days of the month.  On July 1st, the low of 66° topped the old record of 65° (1987).   On July 2nd, the low of 66° demolished the previous record of 63° (1986).  And then, on July 3rd, the low of 67° barely snuck by the old record of 66° (2006).

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 2013, 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.

Everyone knows.... it's.... windy ....

June 2013 Revisited

June 2013 wasn't its typical June-uary self this year:

Above average:  Temperature, solar radiation
Average or near: Nothing
Below Average: Wind, rainfall

My station's average temperature of 66.0° was warmer than the long term June average of 61.8°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 62.8°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 65.0°.  This was the 10th consecutive month in Hood River to experience above average temperatures.

The first major heat wave of the year arrived during the last week of June, first exceeding 90° on the 28th, and then exceeding 100° on the 30th.  The heat was accompanied by relatively high relative humidity, which is relatively unusual, for this relative area.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 101°, and the low temp was 47°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 100° and 42°.

The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 101°, and the low wind chill was 47°.

Solar radiation averaged 630 Ly/day, compared to an average June of 609 Ly/day.  Less rain, fewer clouds, longer days.... more Langley units!

Regarding rainfall, the dry spell that characterized the first half of May also characterized the first half of June.  My station ended up with 0.59" for the month, and HOXO officially recorded 0.47".  An average June receives 0.77".  The max daily precipitation was on the 25th, when my station recorded 0.29" and HOXO 0.16".  Unfortunately, the rain couldn't have come at a worse time, as the local cherry crop took a big hit.

In thunderstorm news, we actually had one!  That was on June 15th, and although it didn't provide hardly any rain locally, it did provide this great photo from Panorama Point.

The 24 hour average wind  speed at my weather station was 3.8 mph, compared to an average June wind speed of 4.1 mph.  The peak wind gust was 30 mph on the 9th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (like the Waterfront) were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.24", and the low barometric was 29.61".

There was one local weather record set this month.   On the 29th, the low temperature only dropped to 68°, which shattered the previous "high low" record for the date (63° all the way back in 1937).

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 June 2013, 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.

This June's weather was much nicer than in recent years, and it actually felt like a Summer month (which it sort of is, but it doesn't usually feel like it).   So nice, in fact, that it seemed like a dream... 

An impressive video tribute to the Fleetwood Mac song, created by Oregonian Vickie Burns with Northwest pics and smooth transitions.   Great job, Vickie.   :)