Weekly Weather Report
For Farmers and Others
Week of December 29, 2014
From Friendship Farms & Fare
A Community Service To the Local Farming Community
65 degrees at 4:00 AM, December 28, 2014
Historic Average (for 12/26): 70 HIGH, 52 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Historically, the average high temperature is now 70 degrees (the lowest average high [70] of the year, which is twenty degrees lower than the highest average high [90]). Our average low is now 52 degrees, which is one degree higher than the lowest average low [51], and twenty-four degrees lower than the highest average low [76]). The average high is now the lowest it will be for the year (70 degrees), and it will remain here until the end of January, when it will begin its annual assent. The average low is just about at its lowest for year (51), which it will reach in early January. The average low will begin its gradual assent a bit earlier than the high, commencing about a week earlier. Both the average daily highs and the lows begin their assent in early winter.
Note: For the past few years, our highs and lows have typically run a bit higher than historic averages. Thus far this year, the trend has continued, and our fall and winter temperatures are maintaining the trend. Although humans may enjoy unseasonably warm weather, above normal temperatures stress the winter crops, which flourish in cool to cold temperatures.
Weekly Weather Report
Unseasonable Weather Continues with Weak Front and Rain early in the Week
Last Week (12/20-12/26): Last week’s forecast was just about on the mark. Temperatures were a bit above normal for the most of the week, and humidity was well above normal.
The highest high for last week was 81 (12/23) and the lowest high was 66 (12/25). The highest low was 69 (12/23) and lowest low was 53 (12/26). Six of seven days were above normal for highs, and every day was above normal for the lows. Remember, at this time of the year, our average high is around 70 and our average low is little above 50.
This Week (12/27-1/2/15): Temperatures will remain moderate and above normal for most of the week. A weak cold front may arrive around midweek. This will bring temperatures down to their normal range for this time of the year. The front’s approach will increase the possibility of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Above normal temperatures will return later in the week.
Looking Ahead: We are in the driest part of the year. Historic norms indicate cool and dry conditions for the winter months.
We are entering the coldest time of the year. Average temperatures will level off, and remain at their annual lows through most of January. We are now well into freeze season, and freezes are possible in any given week. Averages are not good guides, and we are currently running above historical averages, but with rather dramatic fluctuations. Readers will notice that spring flowers are appearing, well ahead of schedule. This means that the winter vegetables may also flower early – if the warm weather continues. See notes on broccoli later in the report.
A New Year arrives on Thursday: 2015 begins on Thursday of this week. Winter began last Sunday, December 21st, the winter Solstice. This means daylight is now increasing, and will continue until the Summer Solstice.
What Winter Means: Winter began on Sunday, December 21st. This is the Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, where our farm is located and where our shareholders live. Days have been getting shorter and nights longer since the Summer Solstice. At the Autumnal Equinox (in September) days and nights were of equal duration – and the days kept getting longer. Beginning on Monday (12/22), each day will be longer (have more sunlight) than the previous day, until the Summer Solstice (June 21), which is the longest day of the year. In late March, the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox occurs, and day and night will again be of equal length. Solstices are those comic moments when the sun is the greatest distance from the equator; equinoxes are those cosmic moments when the sun is directly above the equator.
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