Weekly Weather Report

Week of September 22, 2014

From Friendship Farms & Fare

A Community Service To the Local Farming Community

Historical Average (for 9/18): 89 HIGH, 74 LOW–Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/

The historical average high temperature is now 89 degrees (nineteen degrees higher than the lowest average high [70]).   Our average low is now 74 degrees (twenty-three degrees higher than the lowest average low [51]).  The average high and average low have begun their annual decline, which will continue through the fall, and then begin a gradual assent in the early winter (late January). 

Note:  For the past few years, our summer and fall highs and lows have typically run a bit higher than historic averages. Thus far this year, the trend has continued.  The higher temperatures stress even hot-weather summer crops.  Our development of seed stock from plants grown in these above normal temperatures may result in plants more tolerant of the increasingly harsh climate.

Weekly Weather Report

Complex Systems Influence Weather

Last Week (9/13-9/19): Temperatures were variable this past week, with three highs above historic norms and three below.  Lows were at or near normal. Our highest temperature was 92 and lowest high was 82 on an overcast day with rain.

We had a considerable amount of rain during the week.  The most we have had all summer, with an inch or more on Tuesday, and Wednesday, and a total for the week of 3.1 inches. Most days were cloudy to overcast, keeping temperatures down a bit. Rain is always welcome, but overcast conditions are just as important. Because cloudy conditions moderate the heat and reduce evaporation they are extremely beneficial to summer gardens – especially in these times of global warming.

Despite our relatively high rainfall this past week, 2014 will be a very dry year for the Springs Coast Watershed – at least the Friendship Farms & Fare locations.  We’ll give a final report on summer rains at the start of the next Garden Year. By the end of September, 2013 we had over 50 inches for the year.  This year, our total rainfall is about 35 inches.

This Week (9/20-9/26): WU is forecasting near normal highs and lows in the coming week, with rain possible today (Friday 9/19) and more likely towards the end of the week.

Gardeners and farmers in the area may need to irrigate some (maybe most) days this week.

Looking Ahead: Farmers and Gardeners should be aware that we are fast approaching the beginning of the dry season. During the summer months, we average a quarter of an inch of rain a day.  By the end of September, we drop to about a seventh of an inch, and by mid-October we are down to an average of .06 of an inch.  Very soon, rain will be scarce.

Temperatures will continue to drop.  By the end of the month, historical average highs will be 87 degrees and lows will be 72.  Historically, the first cool front of the season reaches central Florida in the latter part of September.  We will be attentive to that first cool front and how close to come to the historical average. In recent years, Septembers and Octobers have seen temperatures well above historic norms.

A new season approaches: Fall begins on September 23.  This is the Autumnal Equinox, when day and night are of the same duration.  Days have been getting shorter since the summer solstice, and they will continue to shorten until the winter solstice in December. In late March, the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox occurs, and day and night will again be of equal length.  Equinoxes are those cosmic moments when the sun is directly above the earth’s equator.

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

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