Weekly Weather Report

For Farmers and Others

Week of May 25, 2015

From Friendship Farms & Fare

A Community Service To the Local Farming Community

Last Week: Another Hot One

This Week: Hottest Yet

74 degrees at 4:00 AM, May 24, 2015

Historic Average (for 5/22): 88 HIGH, 71 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/

Historically, the average high temperature is now 88 degrees (eighteen degrees higher than the lowest average low [70] of the year), and two degrees lower than the highest average high [90]). Our average low is now 71 degrees, which is twenty degrees higher than lowest average low [51], and five 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 (5/16-22): We were at or 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 our highest was 93.   We had no rain.

This Week (5/23-29) WU is forecasting highs in the 90s every day this week, and lows in the low-70s.  The best chance of rain is Sunday and Monday.  After that rain chances decline sharply.

Remember, historically, our highs are around 88 and our lows around 71.  We do not reach the historical average of 90, until the first week of June.

Looking Ahead: The rainy season is about a month away – mid-June.  Look for above normal temperatures and higher humidity.  Plan for daily irrigation of gardens.

Average temperatures are gradually rising. We will reach the highest historical average high for the year (90 degrees) on June 4, and the highest historical average low (76 degrees) on June 24.  These average highs and lows will remain unchanged for 3 months – until September.

Summer begins on June 21.  This will be the day of the longest period of time between sunup and sunset during the year – “the longest day of the year.”

We are currently running well above historical averages on a consistent basis.

——————————————————————————————————————–

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

Ecology Florida advances the harmonious integration of healthy natural, cultural, and economic ecologies to regenerate a resilient world

Visit the Friendship Farms & Fare website for the Weekly Farm Report:

http://www.fffsite.org/#!report/c1tuh

Friendship Farms & Fare is a branch of Ecology Florida, a not-for-profit corporation.  Contributions to Friendship Farms & Fare and Ecology Florida are tax deductible.  To learn more about Ecology Florida, please visit the website:

http://www.ecologyflorida.org/

If you would like to support our mission and individual projects, you may share donations through PayPal at our website (above) or at our mailing address:

Ecology Florida

PO Box 596

New Port Richey, FL 34656-0596