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.   :)

May 2013 Revisited

May 2013 turned out to be:

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

My station's average temperature of 59.4° was way warmer than the long term May average of 56.2°, and way warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 57.1°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 58.6°.  This was the 9th consecutive month with above average temperatures.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 87°, and the low temp was 31°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 88° and 31°.

The high heat index for the month was 86°, and the low wind chill was 31°.

Solar radiation averaged 534 Ly/day, compared to an average May of 543 Ly/day.

The first half of May started out with a very nice heat wave, which got all the vegetation's hopes up (and ours).   It was dry, but that was ok; a nice change from the May's we've had the past few years.

Things changed in the second half of the month.  Things cooled down, and the rains returned.  My station received 2.23" rain for the month, but HOXO officially recorded 1.80".   An average May receives 1.08". 
 
The max daily precipitation was May 29th, when my station recorded 0.82", and HOXO tallied up 0.58".

The 24 hour average wind speed at my weather station was 3.5 mph, compared to an average May wind speed of 3.6 mph.  The peak wind gust (at my location) was 29 mph on the 13th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (such as on the Columbia River) were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.51", and the low barometric was 29.65".

There were 5 local weather records set this month!   On the mornings of May 7th and 8th, temperatures of 58° set new "high low" records.  The previous records were 57° (1992) and 55° (1971).   And then, as the heat wave continued, the record "high low" on May 11th was broken again.  58°, compared to the old record of 55° (1987).   And then again, on May 12th, another record "high low" was set.  On that day, the low temp was 59°, while the previous record was 57° (1993).

That's only 4 records, so here's the 5th:   On May 29th, HOXO received 0.58" of rain, breaking the old record for the date:  0.52", set way back in 1932.

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 May 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.

April 2013 Revisited

April 2013 was:

Above average:  Temperature, wind, rainfall (at my station)
Average or near: Solar radiation, rainfall (at HOXO)
Below Average: Nothing

My station's average temperature of 51.6° was warmer than the long term April average of 49.8°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 49.5°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 50.8°.  This was the 8th consecutive month to experience above average temperatures.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 80°, and the low temp was 31°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were also 80° and 31°.   Coincidence?  I think not; just another confirmation of the old saying that "Great thermometers think alike (except when they don't)."

The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 76°, and the low wind chill was 31°.

Solar radiation averaged 429 Ly/day, compared to an average April of 435 Ly/day.

Regarding precipitation, April started off with a bang, and then fizzled out in the second half of the month.  Still, my station received 2.63" rain for the month, but HOXO officially recorded only 1.62".   An average April receives 1.66".   So, a bit of a reprieve from this otherwise dry calendar year, but not by much.

The max daily precipitation was April 7th, when my station recorded 0.61" and HOXO tallied up 0.79" (see daily record note below).

There was no measurable snowfall here at my May and Rand location.  Average April snowfall, as historically measured by MCAREC, is 0.1", which is hardly even worth mentioning, but I have to.   It's the rules, which I made up myself.

The 24 hour average wind  speed at my weather station was 3.4 mph, compared to an average March wind speed of 3.2 mph.  The peak wind gust was 32 mph on the 11th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations (such as on the Columbia River) were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.49", and the low barometric was 29.58".

There was one local weather record set this month.   On April 7th, HOXO received 0.61" (my station 0.79"), which broke the previous record for the date (0.50" in 1945).

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 April 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.

Whereas April showers tend to bring May flowers, they also bring occasional rainbows (and frogs).  Which brings to mind one of my favorite songs about rainbows (and frogs).   :)

March 2013 Revisited

March 2013... Here's how things shaped up (or down):

Above average:  Temperature
Average or near: Solar radiation
Below Average: Wind, rain, snow

My station's average temperature of 46.1° was way warmer than the long term March average of 43.8°, and warmer than the more recent (2001-2012) average of 44.4°. The official average temperature in Hood River, recorded at HOXO, was 45.7°.  This was the 7th month in a row to have above average temperatures, and also the warmest March since 2007.

The maximum temperature (at my station) was 75°, and the low temp was 27°. Official Hood River highs and lows (at HOXO) were 74° and 24°.  

The high heat index (at my station) for the month was 72°, and the low wind chill was 27°.

Solar radiation averaged 292 Ly/day, compared to an average March of 286 Ly/day.  This made it... average...

Regarding precipitation, my station had 2.32" rain for the month, and HOXO officially recorded 1.87".   Since an average March receives 3.17", this was another pretty dry month, the 3rd month in a row to have below average rain.

The max daily precipitation was March 20th, when my station recorded 0.58", and HOXO recorded 0.52".

There was no measurable snowfall here at my May and Rand location.  Average March snowfall, as officially (and historically) measured by MCAREC, is 2.2".

The 24 hour average wind  speed at my weather station was 2.2 mph, compared to an average March wind speed of 2.9 mph.  The peak wind gust was 33 mph on the 15th.  Wind speeds at other less sheltered locations, such as the Columbia River, were, of course, higher.  

Barometric pressure peaked at 30.46", and the low barometric was 29.59".

There were no local weather records set this month.

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 March, 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.