Weekly Weather Report
For Farmers and Others
Week of April 13, 2015
From Friendship Farms & Fare
A Community Service To the Local Farming Community
Weekly Weather Report
Back to Above Normal Heat
90s last week, more to come this week
73 degrees at 4:30 AM, April 11, 2015
Historic Average (for 4/13): 80 HIGH, 62 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Historically, the average high temperature has now reached 80 degrees (ten degrees higher than the lowest average low [70] of the year), and ten degrees lower than the highest average high [90]). Our average low is now 62 degrees, which is eleven degrees higher than lowest average low [51], and fourteen degrees lower than the highest average low [76]).
The average low and high are increasing at about a degree a week. They will peak in early June for highs and late June for lows, and remain constant (at 90/76) until early September, when the annual decline begins. This means for three months the average high will be 90 degrees, and the average low will be 76. It will also be humid during those months.
Note: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that 2014 was the hottest year on record (since records have been kept, 1880). Ocean and land temperatures were at their all time highs. This has also been the warmest winter on record in the Arctic.
This is no great surprise to us. 2014 seemed hotter than usual here at the farms, and the past few years, our highs and lows have typically run a bit higher than historic averages. Last year the trend continued, and so far this year, it is still continuing. Although humans may enjoy unseasonably warm weather, above normal temperatures stress plants and animals.
According to NASA, 97% of climate scientists agree that global warming and resultant climate change is a reality and most likely due to human activity. http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/.
Here is NOAA on the human causes of climate change and global warming. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf
Last Week (4/4 – 4/10): There was no cool spell last week, just seven days of above normal heat –well above normal.
TV weather reporters have now noted that temperatures are running above normal. At least they are accurate now.
Last week we were well above normal for highs and lows every day, with lows being further above normal than highs. Normal high is 79-80 and normal lows are 61-62. Last week, no high was below 82, five days were 85 or higher, and two reached 88. Several local sources reported temperatures in the 90s. The highest low was 72.
This Week (4/11 – 4/18) There will be no relief this week. Forecasts call for upper 80s all week. Here comes summer, in early spring. We’ll be in the upper 80s all week (except for a day or so of mid-80s early in the week. 90s are again likely. There is a slight chance of rain in the region on several days this week.
Looking Ahead: We are now in the midst of the dry season, and the above normal heat is really impacting our gardens. We should not expect much rain for at least another month. Average daily rainfall also is creeping upward (like the temperatures). Historic norms indicate cool and dry conditions through April, although we are not running true to form on this. Dry conditions will require more frequent irrigation. The rainy season is still about two months away – mid-June.
Average temperatures are gradually rising. By the end of April averages will be in the mid-80s for highs and mid-60s for lows. Note: We are already reaching these temperatures, and exceeding them.
Averages are not good guides, and we are currently running above historical averages, but with rather dramatic fluctuations. We reached or exceeded 80 degrees four times in January, but not once in February. Already in March we’ve reached or exceeded 80 degrees 23 times.
Although we’ve been dry for the past two weeks, rainfall has been high so far this year, with nearly 11 inches collected at the farms. Nearby, Tampa averages a little more than 8 inches through March.
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