It is an act of nature that during a drought it is almost always hotter than normal, especially in daytime. Here are a few notes to remind us that this June is another month to remember. (Or, should we say, a June to forget.)
BIRMINGHAM
June has averaged nearly 5 degrees hotter than normal. That is significant. This June has acted more like a July, which is traditionally our hottest month of the year. If this drought continues, are we going to evolve into a long drawn out heat wave with highs 100 or above for days oon end? We don’t know. It is possible, but no distinct indication of that at the moment. At Birmingham Airport, 21 of the first 25 days of the month had temperatures 90 or above. The 2007 rain deficit as of today has reached 16.60 inches. That is going to be tough to overcome even if we could arrange for a tropical depression to come up this way.
DECATUR
21 of the first 25 days without rain. On 18 days, the temperature has reached 90 or above.
HUNTSVILLE
21 of the first 25 days with no measureable rain. It was 90 or higher on 21 days. June has averaged about 4 degrees hotter than normal. Huntsville also has an amazing statistic showing a year’s supply of rain that they have missed out on since January 1, 2005.
ANNISTON
21 of 25 days with no rain. On the 4 days that rain was recorded, it was hardly enough to settle the dust, wet the pavement or cause umbrellas to be opened. 19 days have had temperatures 90 or above so far.
TUSCALOOSA
Only 2 days this June with measureable rain, which means that 23 of the first 25 days had no measureable rain. 23 of the 25 days also had temperatures 90 or higher and on 2 days they had 100. The average high so far in June has been 95.
MONTGOMERY
An average high temperature of 94.4 so far this month. 22 out of 25 days were 90 or hotter and 4 days were 100 or hotter.
MOBILE
In a summer like this, Mobile has the advantage of being close to our dear, devoted friend, the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf has a modifying effect on temperatures even 50 or 60 miles inland on many days. So, we find that Mobile has had 10 days in June so far that the temperature DID NOT reach 90.
(This information is based on data through yesterday.)
