Weekly Weather Report

For Farmers and Others

Week of October 6, 2014

From Friendship Farms & Fare

A Community Service To the Local Farming Community

Historical Average (for 10/3): 87 HIGH, 72 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/

The historical average high temperature is now 87 degrees (seventeen degrees higher than the lowest average high [70]).   Our average low is now 72 degrees (twenty-one degrees higher than the lowest average low [51]).  The average high and average low are in their annual decline, which will continue through the fall, and then begin a gradual assent in the early winter (late January). 

Note:  For the past few years, our summer and fall highs and lows have typically run a bit higher than historic averages. Thus far this year, the trend has continued.  The higher temperatures stress even hot-weather summer crops.  Our development of seed stock from plants grown in these above normal temperatures may result in plants more tolerant of the increasingly harsh climate.

Weekly Weather Report

Rain And First Cool Front

Last Week (9/27-10/3): Rain and overcast conditions again dominated weather last week. We had rain four days and generally overcast conditions.  Even with the rain and overcast, temperatures were above normal four days and near normal for the other three. Our highest temperature was 90, which we reached twice, and our lowest high was 86 on an overcast day.

We again had a considerable amount of rain – a little over 3 inches. These past three weeks have brought the most rain we have had since the start of the summer rainy season – over 8 inches total. Rain is always welcome, especially after our dry summer, although the above normal quantities are causing flooding in some parts of the watershed.

Despite our high rainfall these past three past week, 2014 will be a very dry year for the Springs Coast Watershed – at least the Friendship Farms & Fare locations.  We’ll give a final report on summer rains shortly. By the end of September, 2013 we had over 50 inches for the year.  This year, our total rainfall was about 40 inches.  We caught up quite a bit in September.

This Week (10/4-10/10): WU is forecasting the first cold front of the season this week – arriving on Saturday.  Highs and lows will both be a bit below average for the duration of the front’s passing – perhaps two or three days.   There will also be less humidity, which will enhance the cooling effect.  The latter part of the week will see a gradual warming trend.

Gardeners and farmers in the area may have to irrigate most days.

Looking Ahead: The wet conditions of the past few weeks have been something of an anomaly, and farmers and gardeners should be aware of approaching the dry season.  We will get a good dose of that after the front passes.

During the summer months, we average a quarter of an inch of rain a day.  By mid-October we will be down to an average of .06 of an inch.  Very soon, rain will be scarce.

Temperatures will continue to drop. By the end of October, historical average highs will be 81 degrees and lows will be in the mid-60s. Historically, the first cool front of the season reaches central Florida in the latter part of September.  That was not be the case this year.  We thought the first one would reach us next week.  We are happy to have been wrong on that, and welcome the cooler temperatures this week.

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Friendship Farms & Fare reaffirms, restores, and advances agrarian ideals to reestablish a sustainable culture

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