A heat wave recap

[phantom power]

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1855

Last week's U.S. heat wave has finally subsided, and most of the Northeast will see some cool highs in the 70s today. Unfortunately, the Midwest, and mid-Atlantic will continue to see high temperatures in the 90s for the rest of this week, and the southern Plains will be forced to continue to endure triple-digits.

According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), 2,100 daily high maximum temperature records have been set so far in July 2011, and 51% of those were set last week. 4,734 daily high minimum temperature records have been set so far this month, and 55% of those were set last week. Here's a breakdown of last week's records for the period July 18 through July 24:

High Maximum:

• 1,076 warmest maximum temperature for the date
• 90 warmest maximum temperature for the month of July
• 56 warmest maximum temperature of all time

High Minimum:

• 2,595 warmest minimum temperature for the date
• 207 warmest minimum temperature for the month of July
• 123 warmest minimum temperature of all time

The number of warm minimum temperatures is especially disturbing, as these tend to have more of an impact on health than the high maximums. When the temperature remains high at night, it prevents the body from being able to recover from the day's heat. According to NOAA, from July 1 through July 19, there were 22 heat-related deaths in the United States. Reuters is reporting that 34 deaths resulted from this heat wave. In an average year, heat remains the number one weather-related killer in this country. In some ways, the overnight low temperatures are the best way to quantify a heat wave, possibly even better than the heat index.


Figure 1. Map of daily high maximum temperature records for the period July 1 through July 25 from NCDC. Red circles without an X denote a broken record; red circles with an X denote a tied record.

[hatrack]

1. Very interesting - thanks!

:hi:

[Horse with no Name]

2. What are the forecasters saying for the hurricane season?

With heat like this, the warm water is a definite enticement for the formation of some pretty significant storms.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. There is lots of speculation about hurricane season here

Parts of Oklahoma are in extreme drought and have received only about an inch of rain since last October. A single bale of hay is reported to be selling in excess of $160. There is police presence at the sale barns as ranchers liquidate the herds they cannot feed.

A hurricane would likely bring some moisture to the area.

Drought is not the only problem of course. Currently, we are on track to set a record for the all-time hottest July on record.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Here in Texas...around Dallas...a friend was telling me they just paid

$105 for a bale of hay that usually costs $25.

On Freecycle, there have been a few people giving away livestock because they can't feed them.:(