Our July Weather
It is around this time of July that a 55 degree evening spent drinking cinnamon tea in a sweater becomes very appealing. It is high summer. Perhaps it is because of my personal distaste for heat and humidity or perhaps it is because that on average July 21 through the 23 is the hottest time of the year. Each day, according to current 30 year averages, should reach a high of about 85 and drop to a low of 63. On July 24th the average high drops to 84 which is by no means any cooler but slowly over the month of August our average high drops through the eighties and ends at 79 on August 31st. Realize that these are only averages and at any time we could get smacked with a week long dog day heat wave.
The hottest day ever recorded in July was on July 3rd 1966 when the mercury boiled to 105 degrees. The coolest night in July happened on July 20th 1938 when the temperature dipped to 38 degrees overnight. That was part of a record cold snap that charted lows in the upper thirties for three straight days. I would not be complaining had that happened this year.
July averages 4.27 inches of precipitation which is just shy of our wettest summer month, August when the average is 4.35. Our rainfall averages for these months are much higher than those in winter moths because of the more violent weather systems that affect us. These storms are moisture laden with deep southwesterly flows, oftentimes on the backsides of Bermuda Highs which pump our Valley full of that swampy air that defines Pennsylvania summers.
Our current extended forecast is a model for typical July weather. We are scheduled to have warm humid afternoons with highs in mid eighties and lows in the mid sixties. Each day has the possibility of showers and thunderstorms but not because of a cold front but because of atmospheric instability and humidity. It is going to be a gross week.
What’s your favorite season? We’re about 63 days away from the start of autumn. (Thank god, I’m worried about the health of my fan.)
The hottest day ever recorded in July was on July 3rd 1966 when the mercury boiled to 105 degrees. The coolest night in July happened on July 20th 1938 when the temperature dipped to 38 degrees overnight. That was part of a record cold snap that charted lows in the upper thirties for three straight days. I would not be complaining had that happened this year.
July averages 4.27 inches of precipitation which is just shy of our wettest summer month, August when the average is 4.35. Our rainfall averages for these months are much higher than those in winter moths because of the more violent weather systems that affect us. These storms are moisture laden with deep southwesterly flows, oftentimes on the backsides of Bermuda Highs which pump our Valley full of that swampy air that defines Pennsylvania summers.
Our current extended forecast is a model for typical July weather. We are scheduled to have warm humid afternoons with highs in mid eighties and lows in the mid sixties. Each day has the possibility of showers and thunderstorms but not because of a cold front but because of atmospheric instability and humidity. It is going to be a gross week.
What’s your favorite season? We’re about 63 days away from the start of autumn. (Thank god, I’m worried about the health of my fan.)
Labels: Allentown, Lehigh Valley Wildlands
posted by Andrew Kleiner at
12:00 AM
3 Comments:
I would have to say that autumn is also my favorite season. It marks the end of humid days followed by humid nights. It is the time of year when you can break out gloves and sweaters. And for me it signifies a time of year when I get to go apple picking and make fresh apple pies/cakes/breads.
It is also the perfect time of year when you can spend 24/7 outside reading a book, watching people, or taking a long walk. It is a time when I feel most solitary and self sufficient.
My favorite thing about fall is walking through freshly fallen leaves. For me it seems to signify the end of one season (in a very visual sense), and the beginning of a new season where there is hope and new experiences.
The dog days of summer certainly are upon us. They show no mercy for the average folk who just wanna take a walk without risking a coronary. I never enjoy the days when it feels like breathing is a chore. You are not alone in your misery.
Autumn. That's why I live here. It's 56 degrees right now. The downside is that because it is always autumn, it is never autumn. It doesn't rain, so I don't get the cool summer rains leading up to September and October. It also doesn't get hot until it's too hot, as this is basically a modified desert. And the leaves never change. Purgatory. So close.
Also, Mr. Justice, you need tank top weather after all.
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