Weekly Weather Report
For Farmers and Others
Week of March 30, 2015
From Friendship Farms & Fare
A Community Service To the Local Farming Community
52 degrees at 3:30 AM, March 29, 2015
Cool Interlude for a few days
Then Back to Above Normal Heat
Historic Average (for 3/27): 78 HIGH, 60 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Last Week (3/21-3/27): We had yet another week of above normal temperatures, with highs in the 80s five of seven days, and every day above normal. We also again had abnormally high rainfall, with our gauges collecting more than 2 inches. The higher lows trend also continued, with low temperatures being above normal six of seven days – and usually close to 10 degrees above normal.
TV weather reporters continue to claim these temperatures are “not unusual for this time of year.” So far, in March, 24 of 27 days have been above normal, with several days 10 degrees or more above normal.
True, an occasional 80-degree day in March is not unusual. What is unusual is a run of days above 80, and some in the 90s. The lows are even higher above norms than the highs. Average low for early March is mid-50s, and we’ve been in the mid-60s to low 70s. In other words, our lows are about as high as our average highs.
The highest high for last week at WU was 85 (3/22). The lowest high was 78 (3/24 and 27). The highest low was 71 (3/23) and lowest low was 59 (3/27), which was the only day we were below the average low for the day. All seven days were above normal for highs (and most above 80 degrees), and six of seven were above normal for lows. Our average high for this time of the year is 76-78 and our average low is 58-60.
This Week (3/28-4/3) We’ll have a brief cool spell at the start of the week, with below normal temperatures on Saturday and Sunday. This will be short lived, as we surge above normal (and into the 80s) again by Tuesday. We’ll stay above normal for the rest of the week, and come close to record highs by next weekend. WU is forecasting a high of 89 degrees on April 3. As has been the case all year, these temperatures are well above normal for this time of the year, and more typical of May and June, not March and April.
Forecast calls for clear, largely cloudless days all week.
Looking Ahead: We are still in the dry season, although average temperatures are increasing. 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.
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.
Rainfall has also 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.
Historic Average (for 3/27): 78 HIGH, 60 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Historically, the average high temperature is now 78 degrees (eight degrees higher than the lowest average low [70] of the year), and twelve degrees lower than the highest average high [90]). Our average low is now 60 degrees, which is nine degrees higher than lowest average low [51], and sixteen 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 the winter crops, which flourish in cool to cold temperatures.
——————————————————————————————————————–
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/c1tu
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
