Some breaking in the clouds have allowed for some sunshine to peak through but it has been limited today. As an area of low pressure pushes out the state the clouds will continue to clear and the temperatures will fall to the mid 50s for Saturday Morning Lows. Clearing tonight will make way for a Sunny but Breezy Saturday. Temperatures will be a little warmer in the upper 70s if not topping off in the low 80s. We'll remain dry for Sunday with temperatures in the low to mid 80s before our next chance for rain arrives on Monday.
August 1-10
Here's a list of observations for the first 10 days of the month:
August 1-High 91 || Low 65 || Precip-NONE
August 2-High 97 || Low 62 || Precip-NONE
August 3-High 93 || Low 73 || Precip-NONE
August 4-High 94 || Low 74 || Precip-0.25"
August 5-High 88 || Low 70 || Precip-1.26"
August 6-High 89 || Low 65 || Precip-NONE
August 7-High 95 || Low 65 || Precip-NONE
August 8-High 98R* || Low 69 || Precip-0.94"
August 9-High 87 || Low 66 || Precip-1.47"
August 10**-High 77 || Low 63|| Precip-TRACE
*-This temperature is tied with the 1896 & 1941 record high temperature for this day.
**-Information for this day is only current up to 8:00PM. This is unofficial but likely official observations.
(As of 7pm)
The average high for this month is 90.9°.
The average low for this month is 67.2°.
The average temperature for the month is 79.1°.
We've picked up 3.92" of precipitation so far.
We've lost 20 mins 48 secs of daylight so far this month.
METEOROLOGICAL SUMMER(JUNE-JULY-AUGUST)
We are nearly at the halfway point of the last month of meteorological summer and its been a pretty warm one. About 87% of the past 71 days have been above normal. The average high for this season sits at 91° thats 7.6° above nomal. The average low for this season sits at 67.4°, thats 3.4° above normal. The average temp for the season sits at 79.2°. This temperature is 5.5° above the normal 73.7°. This season is currently the #1 Warmest summer on record. Here's the Top Five list:
2012---79.2°
1) 1874---78.6°
2) 1936---78.5°
3) 1934---78.2°
4) 2010---78.1°
5) 2011---77.6°
Drought Analysis
After a very persistent dry pattern for May, June, & July we are starting to see some relief as we end the second week of August. Some much needed systems have moved through last weekend and this week bringing nearly 4" of rain. We've had more rain this month than May, June, and July combined. Unfortunately, we still do not have enough rain just yet. We are still in deficit over 7" so we need a few more weeks of wet weather. It looks like the chances will continue. I've identified 3 more chances out of the next 7 days. Its whether those chances come through or not that will determine if we get more much needed relief from drought conditions.
Looking over the latest weekly analysis, 25% of the State, mostly in Southwestern Indiana, is in an Exceptional Drought (highest drought category), while 89% of the state is in a Severe Drought or higher. I would imagine these numbers will come down next week. Here's the updated deficit chart and drought map.
| This Week |
Last Week |
Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abnormally Dry |
100% | 100% | UNCHANGED |
| Moderate Drought |
100% | 99.59% | +0.41% |
| Severe Drought |
89.75% | 84.85% | +4.90% |
| Extreme Drought |
63.56% | 59.05% | +4.51% |
| Except. Drought |
25.00% | 24.26% | +0.74% |
Rainfall Deficit Around the State
| Location | Year to Date Precipitation (through Aug. 10) | Departure from Average | Precip since June 1 | Departure from Average |
| Indianapolis | 19.90 | - 7.33 | 4.84 | -4.99 |
| Evansville | 16.59 | -12.29 | 5.21 | -3.43 |
| Lafayette | 12.99** | -10.16 | 2.24 | -6.89 |
| Muncie | 17.59 | - 8.11 | 5.35 | -4.78 |
| Terre Haute | 13.67** | -15.07 | 1.37 | -8.93 |
| Bloomington | 13.85** | -16.91 | 2.10 | -8.77 |
| Shelbyville | 15.82 | -11.98 | 2.77 | -7.25 |
| Ft. Wayne | 17.44 | -6.98 | 7.09 | -2.53 |
| South Bend | 21.28 | - 1.47 | 9.98 | +0.95 |
| Indy - Eagle Creek | 18.87 | -7.52 | 5.73 | -3.85 |
Here's the list of days where precipitation has fallen since May 1st:
1) May 1st------1.48"
2) May 4th------Trace
3) May 6th------Trace
4) May 7th------0.48"
5) May 8th------0.01"
6) May 9th------0.13"
7) May 21st-----0.10"
8) May 29th-----0.36"
9) May 31st------0.14"
1) June 1st-------Trace Amounts
2) June 2nd------0.03"
3) June 3rd-------Trace Amounts
4) June 4th-------0.02"
5) June 11th-----Trace Amounts
6) June 29th-----0.04"
7) June 30th----Trace Amounts
8) July 1st--------Trace Amounts
9) July 8th-------Trace Amounts
10) July 14th----Trace Amounts
11) July 18th----0.40"
12) July 19th----0.28"
13) July 20th----Trace Amounts
14) July 24th----Trace Amounts
15) July 27th----0.15"
16) July 31st----Trace Amounts
17) Aug. 4th----0.25"
18) Aug. 5th----1.26"
19) Aug. 8th----0.94"
20) Aug. 9th----1.47"
21) Aug. 10th---Trace Amounts
If you do the math (well...I've done it for you) than you can see we've picked up 7.54" since May 1st, 4.84" since June 1st, 4.01" since July 1st, and 3.92" since August 1st. Now 17 out of the past 102 days have been recorded with measurable rainfall. Measurable Rainfall is anything 0.01" or higher (Trace Amounts aren't measurable).
With much getting some drought relief, some counties, mainly in Northeast Indiana, have lifted their burn bans. On July 4, 85 out of 92 counties were under a burn ban. The number has now dropped to 58. That means now 63% of the state is under a burn ban. Some counties that have recently dropped this month is Elkhart, Grant, Jay, Madison, Perry, Randolph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Tipton, and White Counties.
Here's the burn ban map which was last updated around 3PM.
Did you know.....
The average nation-wide temperature for July 2012 was 77.6°F. This was the hottest month in the U.S. which beats the previous hottest month, July 1936 with an average temperature of 77.4°F. Read the entire write up posted from the National Climatic Data Center HERE.
Missed out on the 4th of July? Don't worry, here's another chance for a free fireworks display in the sky for you stargazers. Say what? Yes, the annual perseid meteor shower peaks tomorrow night. This will be seen in the NE sky best seen between 9pm-6am but peaks after midnight. At a viewing rate of 130 shooting stars per hour, this will make for a spectacular night with the family or significant other outdoors this weekend. This is BEST viewable away from city lights. For more information click HERE. ((Image Below Available Courtesy of Accuweather))
Upcoming....... Next week temperatures will warm back up to upper 80s. Could see a 90° day as well. I've identified rain chances for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Another pocket of cool air could be in store for August 17th & 18th next weekend as well.
Will this put an end to the summer heat?
I wouldn't be too quick to completely write summer off just yet. From Aug 10-16, 2011, the average high temperature was 83°. We had a 78° high on Aug. 14th. After a short stretch of below normal days the highs warmed up to mostly upper 80s. There were 6 more days recorded with temperatures 90° & above including a 100° high temperature reading on September 3. They are as follows; 91° on Aug. 18th, 96° on Aug. 24th, 95° on Aug. 31st, and 99° on both Sept 1 & Sept 2nd.
Beyond the period of Aug 17th-20th later this month, it appears temperatures will try to rebound by August 21st. I haven't locked on to a major heat wave just yet over the next 2 weeks. I will continue to monitor and update you as new information or changes in model runs become available. Until then enjoy your pleasant & comfortable weekend!
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