Hottest First 43 Days of Summer Ever
July 15th, 2009 by BurtonSweltering low 100s will continue through Friday before a pattern shift offers some clouds and a much-needed rain chance for Central Texas. A weak summer cold front sinks south towards our area this weekend and, although we don’t expect a dramatic cooldown, high temps will at least be lower than the century mark for a change!
But first, some sobering sweltering statistics about summer thus far… a record hot one in the Austin area. The first 43 days of summer, a period from June 1 to July 13, has simply never been hotter in the Cap City according to records dating back to 1850, and here’s the top five list of highest early summer averages:
1 87.5 2009
2 86.7 2008
3 86.6 1998
4 86.1 1925
5 85.9 1990
For the first time in more than a week, the dominant high pressure cell over Texas has started to weaken and we predict it’ll anchor itself out west for about a week or so.
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Take a look at the Red River Valley and you’ll see green on the Futurecast there today. Northerly upper-level winds will develop by Friday, helping to nudge that front further south into Texas, possibly into our area by Sunday.
Rain chances rise from less than 20% through Friday to 20% from Saturday through Tuesday. The front may stall out, giving us several days of double-digit temps closer to July normals. Check out the 8-day forecast for the details.
Active Pacific… The Eastern Pacific theater is alive with two tropical cyclones, one a small and dying Hurricane Carlos and the other a large, growing Tropical Storm Dolores. As of noon, Carlos (sat loop) packs sustained winds of 85mph while moving west near 6mph. TS Dolores, now with winds up to 40mph moving NW at 13mph, should curve almost due west and will head in the general direction of Hawaii by the weekend but should be diminishing as it nears the island chain.
Enjoy your Wednesday.
Meteorologist
Burton Fitzsimmons
