Weekly Weather Report for West Pasco’s
Urban Agriculture Community
A Service Of
Friendship Farms & Fare
http://www.fffsite.org/
Milder Last Week
Mixed Reports For This Week
74 degrees at 4:00 AM, September 18, 2015
Historic Average (for 9/18): 89 HIGH, 75LOW Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
See the complete weekly weather report later in the Farm Report.
Historically, the average high temperature is now 89 degrees (nineteen degrees higher than the lowest average high of the year [70]), and one degree lower than our highest average [90]). Our average low is now 75 degrees, one lower than our highest average low of the year, and twenty-four degrees higher than lowest average low [51].
Average highs and lows have begun their annual decline. This is the beginning of the long gradual decline in temperatures that continues until January, when we reach our lowest average temperatures – 70 and 51.
Note: Reports just reaching the media indicate that this Summer (June-August) was the hottest in recorded history. We at the 3-F Newsletter are not surprised.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that July was the hottest month in recorded history. 2014 was the hottest year on record (since records have been kept, 1880). Ocean and land temperatures were at their all time highs. This was also the warmest winter on record in the Arctic, and May 2015 was the hottest May on record.
Know the Science:
This is no great surprise to us. Temperatures have been running well above normal most of the year 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
Welcome Autumn
Equinox September 23
The Autumnal Equinox will be Wednesday (September 23). We’ll still have some hot days (some very hot), regular rains (and some downpours), and high humidity, but the peak of summer has passed. Late day shadows are changing and sometimes hints of coolness can be felt late at night and early in the morning. These are just hints, but they are noticeable.
On the 23rd there is perfect balance between day and night, or the periods between sunup and sunset, and sunset and sunrise – hence “equinox.”
Daylight will continue to get shorter, just as it has since the summer solstice — June 21, the day with the longest period of time between sunup and sunset during the year. The equinox is when the shortening of daylight has brought day and night into balance. The days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice — “the shortest day of the year,” in December.
Last Week (9/13-19): WU was pretty good in its forecast this week. Early in the week we were above above normal, and later in the week, cooler and a bit below. We only had a couple of days above normal (in the 90s), and we were in the mid-70s overnight. We also has a little rain. It has felt cooler.
This Week (9/20-26) WU’s forecast looks a lot like last week. Early in the week is projected to be above normal, and later in the week, cooler and a bit below. A few days of mid-80 to just below look pretty good.
The average high dropped to 89 on the Thursday (9/10) and the low to 75 on the Wednesday (9/9). This is the beginning of the long gradual decline in temperatures that continues until January, when we reach our lowest average temperatures – 70 and 51.
Looking Ahead: The Autumnal Equinox will be Wednesday (September 23). We’ll still have some hot days (some very hot), regular rains (and some downpours), and high humidity, but the peak of summer has passed. Late day shadows are changing and sometimes hints of coolness can be felt late at night and early in the morning. These are just hints, but they are noticeable.
Days are shortening. On the 23rd there is perfect balance between day and night, or the periods between sunup and sunset, and sunset and sunrise – hence “equinox.”
Daylight will continue to get shorter, just as it has since the summer solstice — June 21, the day with the longest period of time between sunup and sunset during the year. The equinox is when the shortening of daylight has brought day and night into balance. The days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice — “the shortest day of the year,” in December.
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PO Box 596 ● New Port Richey, Florida 34656-0596
Friendship Farms & Fare affirms 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 sustainable world
PO Box 596 ● New Port Richey, Florida 34656-0596
