You don't need me to tell you June was hot... but here is a little perspective. After compiling data from the National Weather Service, and using some numbers they compiled, this June may not be rivaled for some time.
First, the most glaring statistic... June 2009 is the second hottest June on record at an average temperature of 85.6 degrees. 1906 has a slight edge with an average temperature of 85.9 degrees. The heat wave years of 1980 and 1998 came in with 85.5 degrees and 85.1 degrees respectively.
Digging a little deeper, however, shows that if you look at just high temperatures for each date, June 2009, takes the cake, with an average high of 96.7 degrees. 1906 came in a with an average of 96.3. This year's average was aided by a record seven days of triple digits, culminating with a high of 104 degrees on both June 24th and June 26th. This is the hottest temperature ever recorded in June at IAH, and during the month, we saw six records broken. The all-time record high of 109 degrees, set in September of 2000, remains in tact.
The combination of heat and no rain has been problematic. Despite the fact we have seen some recent rains, it has not been enough. IAH recorded only .27" of rain during June. The NWS has determined this to be the 4th driest June on record. June is typically our wettest month, averaging 5.35".
July looks to keep in the heat in place. A perisistent ridge has dominated the weather pattern. In more "typical" years the ridge tends to reposition itself further north, or at least shift more than it has this year. However, the ridge appears to be hanging around and that means more heat and low rain chances. Lets hope July stays out of the record books!
First, the most glaring statistic... June 2009 is the second hottest June on record at an average temperature of 85.6 degrees. 1906 has a slight edge with an average temperature of 85.9 degrees. The heat wave years of 1980 and 1998 came in with 85.5 degrees and 85.1 degrees respectively.
Digging a little deeper, however, shows that if you look at just high temperatures for each date, June 2009, takes the cake, with an average high of 96.7 degrees. 1906 came in a with an average of 96.3. This year's average was aided by a record seven days of triple digits, culminating with a high of 104 degrees on both June 24th and June 26th. This is the hottest temperature ever recorded in June at IAH, and during the month, we saw six records broken. The all-time record high of 109 degrees, set in September of 2000, remains in tact.
The combination of heat and no rain has been problematic. Despite the fact we have seen some recent rains, it has not been enough. IAH recorded only .27" of rain during June. The NWS has determined this to be the 4th driest June on record. June is typically our wettest month, averaging 5.35".
July looks to keep in the heat in place. A perisistent ridge has dominated the weather pattern. In more "typical" years the ridge tends to reposition itself further north, or at least shift more than it has this year. However, the ridge appears to be hanging around and that means more heat and low rain chances. Lets hope July stays out of the record books!
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