July 2011: Most extreme July on record for the U.S.
According to the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Extremes Index, July 2011 was the most extreme July on record (since 1910) with a value of 37%. The Climate Extremes Index is created by merging the various climate indicators (drought, flood, extreme heat, extreme cold, etc.) into an index that can be tracked over time. This month's record CEI was due to extreme warm minimum temperatures across the country, wet northern Plains and Great Lakes, extreme warm maximum temperatures, and the severe drought across the South and Gulf Coast.
It was the fourth warmest July on record for the nation, and the fourth warmest month overall with an average temperature of 77°F. Extreme heat continued to bake the South, and Oklahoma and Texas both had their warmest months on record. Oklahoma's statewide average temperature was a remarkable 88.9°F in July, which is the warmest monthly statewide average for any state in any month. Dallas, Texas hit or exceeded 100°F on 30 out of the 31 days in July. For the entire South climate region, which comprises Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, July 2011 was the warmest month on record for any of the climate regions.
As we noted in a previous blog, an unprecedented area of exceptional drought covered the United States in July, the largest area in the history of the U.S. Drought Monitor. 75% of Texas was in an exceptional drought, and the entire state of Oklahoma was in moderate to exceptional drought in July. The NCDC estimates that it would take 20 inches of rain to end the drought in one month in the worst hit areas of Oklahoma and Texas.
Figure 1. Texas and Oklahoma had its hottest and the state of Washington had its 11th coolest July on record last month, according to the NCDC.
Figure 2. Texas had its second driest July on record, and Oklahoma had its 9th driest according to the NCDC. California continues to be wetter than average, and last month was its 8th wettest July on record.
Angela
Reader Comments
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Its the weather,,not one mention of AGW or Climate Change here.
Expect the new norm to be the new norm,,as predicted.
and be-4 we get the first,,"I thought this was a Tropical Blog ?"..remember,,its the authors entry always,,
Agreed, we just passed 100 at 11:37am in North Richland Hills....
Quote Of The Day, Pat. ;-)
WTH!!!! Emily!!!! just go, you've driven us all nuts now just go!!!!
Just remember, what happened on the west coast is just weather, but what happened under that High is climate change ;-)
surprising storm
Every time I open a can of paint, it rains in North Florida. I'm starting to think I might be a god of some sort.
Come to Texas, bring paint and rain.
go to Tx and do it, see if it follows you there. If it does, then you could well be a god of some sort.
Doesn't sound like much of a trend to me!
(in Alaska!)
Mysterious orange goo in Alaskan Arctic identified as tiny eggs
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/0 8/arctic-orange-goo-kivalina.html#comments
has anyone got a model on just how long dis drought is to last months,years,century's?
What it has been is pleasantly cool. Lots of onshore flow, lots of dry air flow from the Pacific.
But then: I grew up in Oklahoma. All I can say is that I'm glad I wasn't there this summer.
Don't forget the 1950 drought.
The current drought is far and away the worst Texas has even seen, and it's nowhere near over; in fact, it's expected to intensify over the coming months.
I'm not sure we're at the 7 year mark yet though.
Wild grasses turn brown and time to get the cardboard out and ride down the hills! Fun times growning up on California's Central Coast.
No it does not say intensify, it says "Persistance".
The key says--Drought to persist or intensify.
Striking Florida Storm!
I posted the news story about that last week, it was everywhere, even on buildings. Glad to know what it was, thanks for posting.
Q: How exactly can you "intensify" a drought that consists of zero rain and 100+ degree heat?
A: You can't intensify it. It just keeps going, making the situation worse.
Please refer to the legend. At any rate, "persistence" is "intensification", especially in this case; the situation is so dire that even if things don't get any worse, people are in serious trouble.
Climatologists are predicting a return to possible/probably La Nina conditions by this fall, and that means less rain and more heat for Texas come next spring and summer. IOW, things aren't looking good for the
LoneDrought Star state at the moment.Comments (113 comments)
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Solar explosions could impact Earth
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is keeping an eye on a set of solar storms and explosions that could disrupt satellite, telecommunications and electric equipment here on Earth in the next few days.
While activity had reportedly returned to somewhat normal levels when solar winds calmed Monday morning, another explosion Tuesday was three times larger than the February 15 flare, which, until now, was the most significant flare of this solar cycle.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is reporting that the most recent flare, the third in the past three days, “will likely generate bright auroras as far south as Pennsylvania and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space.”
each year.
Year NS NSD H HD MH MHD ACE NTC
1952 7 39.75 6 22.75 3 7 87 103
1966 11 64.00 7 41.75 3 8.75 145 140
2005 28 131.50 15 49.75 7 17.75 250 279
2008 16 88.25 8 30.50 5 7.50 146 162
Mean 15.5 80.9 9.0 36.2 4.5 10.3 157.1 171.2
2011 Forecast 16 80 9 35 5 10 160 175
1950-2000 Climo 9.6 49.1
Temp: 93F
Heat Index: 101F
Last night's low: 79F
Pressure: 29.79
Humidity: 50% and falling
Dew Point: 73F (I haven't seen actual dew on the ground in years.)
Today's forecast high is 104F.
So, is there ANY chance of it raining here before September? Before Halloween? What does it take to bust an entrenched High like this?
It's 94.5 here again today.
This feels like the DrySeason...
Have not seen the sky so clear EVERYWHERE (except Florida) for a long time.
I thought someone said that the Planet is Cooling. Where, exactly is that happening again???
I think I need to move there.....
How many of you can pull up my site. www.stormjunkie.com
If you can quote and respond with a yes or now it would be a huge help. Having some troubles with my hosting company.
Sorry again Dr M; and thanks.
I couldn't open it.
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