Weekly Weather Report
For Farmers and Others
Week of May 18, 2015
From Friendship Farms & Fare
A Community Service To the Local Farming Community
Weekly Weather Report
The Heat Goes On – and on
73 degrees at 4:30 AM, May 17, 2015
Historic Average (for 5/15): 87 HIGH, 70 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
See the complete weekly weather report later in the Farm Report
Historically, the average high temperature is now 87 degrees (seventeen degrees higher than the lowest average low [70] of the year), and three degrees lower than the highest average high [90]). Our average low is now 70 degrees, which is nineteen degrees higher than lowest average low [51], and four 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 (5/9-15): We were above normal every day last week. The climate-change heat we’ve had all spring (and most of the winter) shows no signs of letting up. Our lowest high was 88 degrees, and we were above 90 four days – once reaching 95, which is very hot for Florida. We had a nice rain on Thursday.
This Week (5/16-22) WU is again forecasting highs in the 90s for most of the coming week, and lows in the mid-70s. Rain chances will decline slightly.
Remember, historically, our highs are around 87 and our lows around 69. We do not reach the historical average of 90, until the first week of June.
Looking Ahead: The rainy season is still about a month away – mid-June. Look for above normal temperatures and high erhumidity. Plan for daily irrigation of gardens.
Average temperatures are gradually rising. By the end of May, averages will be approaching 90 degrees. Of course, we have been at or above 90 for most of the month already.
We are currently running above historical averages on a consistent basis.
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