Georgia Climate Summary for June 2011
Prepared by Pam Knox, Assistant State Climatologist
Georgia State Climatology Office
Very hot daytime temperatures and lack of rainfall led to strengthened drought across Georgia in June. Average temperatures were at or near record levels for the month across the state.
Temperatures across the state were above normal everywhere in Georgia for a fifth straight month. In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 81.2 degrees F (4.4 degrees above normal), in Athens 81.0 degrees (4.7 degrees above normal), Columbus 84.4 (5.2 degrees above normal), Macon 82.9 (4.9 above normal), Savannah 83.0 (4.2 above normal), Brunswick 82.4 (3.0 above normal), Alma 83.5 (4.2 above normal), Valdosta 83.3 (4.9 above normal) and Augusta 82.1 (4.6 above normal).
This was the warmest June ever in Columbus in 64 years of record. It was the second warmest in Macon in 119 years of record, only surpassed by 84.3 degrees F in June 1952. It was the third warmest June in 133 years of Atlanta records, surpassed by 82.3 degrees F in 1952 and 81.4 degrees F set last year in June 2010. Temperature records in Athens, Alma, Savannah, Valdosta and Augusta were also in the top ten Junes in their histories.
Numerous daily record high temperatures were broken this month. Columbus broke four daily records and tied three more, including 101 degrees F on June 1 and 3, breaking old records of 98 F and 99 F, set respectively in 1998 and 1985. Macon set their a daily record maximum temperature of 103 F on the third, breaking the old record of 102 F set in 1985. Alma set new daily temperature records on six different days, including a reading of 103 F on the 15th which broke the old record of 100 F set in 1981.
The NWS office in Savannah noted that their new daily maximum temperature record of 102 F on the 13th (breaking the old record of 100 F set in 1880) was the warmest it has been in Savannah since July 20, 2000.
Precipitation in June was scattered due to pup-up thunderstorms on many days during the month. The wettest areas were in northern Georgia and in the southeastern part of the state, where showers helped firefighters control the large fires near the Okefenokee Swamp that have been burning since late April.
source: www.weather.gov
The highest monthly total precipitation from National Weather Service reporting stations was 7.09 inches in Savannah (1.60 inches above normal) and the lowest was in Augusta at 1.98 inches (2.07 below normal). Valdosta received 3.50 inches (1.86 below normal), Athens 2.44 inches (1.50 inches above normal), Alma 3.11 (2.38 below normal), Columbus 2.64 (0.87 below normal), Macon 2.76 (0.78 below normal), Brunswick 3.86 (1.19 below normal) and Atlanta 2.20 (1.43 inches below normal).
source: www.weather.gov
The highest single-day rainfall from CoCoRaHS stations was 5.63 inches in Chatham County on Tybee Island on June 30. Another nearby observer on Wilmington Island reported 4.26 inches on the same day. The same Tybee Island observer had the highest monthly rainfall amount of 10.08 inches, followed by 8.65 inches in Rabun Gap (Rabun County) and 8.44 inches on Wilmington Island.
Severe weather was reported somewhere in the state on 25 days in June. There were no tornadoes reported in the month, but scattered hail and wind damage and power outages were observed at locations around the state. Lightning struck a building during AthFest in Athens on the 24th during an outdoor concert. Fortunately, no one was injured, although brick on the facade rained down into the street. The widest outbreaks of wind and hail were reported on June 15 and 26.
Drought covered over 85 percent of the state by the end of June, up from 81 percent at the start of the month. The drought increased in strength significantly in spite of scattered showers, so that when June ended the percent of the state in exceptional drought went from zero to over 40 percent, all in the southern half of the state. Rural cities like Doerun and Dawson in southwestern Georgia were running out of drinking water due to the low groundwater levels.
Soil moisture conditions across Georgia declined slightly during the month, as the lack of rainfall and high daytime temperatures accelerated evapotranspiration and stressed plants in spite of scattered showers. Farmers switched from peanuts to cotton or soybeans due to the dry soils and late planting conditions. Herds were being culled due to lack of forage and expensive feed.
Showing posts with label record high. Show all posts
Showing posts with label record high. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Hot and Dry : Georgia June 2011 Climate Summary
If you happen to live in Georgia, you know it was Hot and Dry in June. If you've followed along here at Cataula GA WX you've read about some of the Record Breaking Heat, and Drought Conditions in Georgia. Here is the summary for June 2011......
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tied, not Broken : Record High Temprature : 25 consecutive above 90
Columbus tied a high temperature on June 21 2011 the first official day of Summer. Of course if you live around Columbus or in the south you may be saying like most, summer started a month ago. On May 22 2011, Columbus set a record high of 96 degrees breaking the old record of 95 set in 1996.
Yesterday June 21 2011 Columbus reached 100 degrees tying the previous record set in 2006. So far for the month of June 2011 everyday has been above 90 degrees, with the hottest so far being 102 degrees on June 1. Going back to May 2011 Columbus has seen 25 consecutive days above 90 degrees.
Maybe this will help cool you down. From March 1 2009 -
Yesterday June 21 2011 Columbus reached 100 degrees tying the previous record set in 2006. So far for the month of June 2011 everyday has been above 90 degrees, with the hottest so far being 102 degrees on June 1. Going back to May 2011 Columbus has seen 25 consecutive days above 90 degrees.
Maybe this will help cool you down. From March 1 2009 -
Saturday, June 4, 2011
More Record Breaking Heat in Georgia
Yet another Record High in Columbus was set on June 3, 2011. The temperature was another scorcher of 101 degrees. The previous record high was 99 degrees in 1985.
It could be worse. Macon Georgia saw a record high as well, 103 breaking their old record or 102 also in 1985.
Other areas around Georgia also saw their share of hot temperatures. Albany saw 102 and Valdosta saw 101. However, those were not record breaking temperatures.
It could be worse. Macon Georgia saw a record high as well, 103 breaking their old record or 102 also in 1985.
Other areas around Georgia also saw their share of hot temperatures. Albany saw 102 and Valdosta saw 101. However, those were not record breaking temperatures.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Record Breaking Temperatures continue, Drought Worsens in Georgia
June 2, 2011 Columbus had another record high temperature of 101 degrees, breaking the old record of 98 set back in 1998. Most of the state had high temperatures well into the mid and upper 90's. Temperatures into the weekend will still be running above normal and we can expect to see records broken or tied once again across the state and local area.
If you were one of the lucky ones yesterday, you saw some scattered showers and thunderstorms some which were severe and warranted warnings being issued. Lucky in that it cooled your area down slightly and briefly. Most of the state remained dry.
How dry is it ?
As you can see in this image from the Drought Monitor Archives, as in my last drought update, 2 weeks makes a big difference in drought severity and coverage.
Compare the above to this image showing 2 weeks, May 3 thru May 17. On the left May 3 there is little RED indicating 'extreme drought conditions'.
Were do we currently stand ?
The local area is split much like the state of Georgia concerning drought. Some of us are suffering 'Extreme Drought' conditions, while others remain in 'Severe Drought'.
As you can see from this image of drought conditions in the southeast, some of our neighbors in Alabama and Florida are experiencing 'extreme drought' as well. Farther to the north, South Carolina, North Carolina, and even Virginia are also experiencing drought conditions.
As mentioned in other posts, I expect conditions for the short term to remain dry. I also expect conditions to worsen further unless we have a tropical system move through. Even showers and thunderstorms at this point will not overcome current conditions.
How much rain will it take ?
In my last post May 21, according to the Climate Prediction Center we needed 6 to 9 inches of rain to return to normal conditions. At this time the good news, 3 to 5 inches would help relieve the worst conditions for much of the state. The bad news, according to the Climate Prediction Center Drought Monitoring section, the local area now needs 9 to 12 inches for conditions to return to normal. Thats an increase of 3 inches since the last post about 2 weeks ago.
Well, that about covers it until next week for drought conditions. I hope we get much needed rain soon. Check back for updates.
On a side note: During these hot and dry conditions watch out for older folks and your neighbors. Don't forget your pets that are outside as well. Give them fresh water daily and often. You don't drink warm water do you ? Also, if you feed them dry food, don't give them more than they will eat. If there is left over food from the day before, throw it out for the birds. Many people don't know that dry food also spoils. It contains meat by products.
And hey, while were at it, if you have any weather related pictures consider sending them in and I'll put them on the blog. Give some detail about them and who you are as well. Email address is at the top left of the page.
Thanks for reading and until next time, Take Care ! ED
If you were one of the lucky ones yesterday, you saw some scattered showers and thunderstorms some which were severe and warranted warnings being issued. Lucky in that it cooled your area down slightly and briefly. Most of the state remained dry.
How dry is it ?
As you can see in this image from the Drought Monitor Archives, as in my last drought update, 2 weeks makes a big difference in drought severity and coverage.
 |
| May 17 thru May 31 2011 |
Compare the above to this image showing 2 weeks, May 3 thru May 17. On the left May 3 there is little RED indicating 'extreme drought conditions'.
Were do we currently stand ?
The local area is split much like the state of Georgia concerning drought. Some of us are suffering 'Extreme Drought' conditions, while others remain in 'Severe Drought'.
As you can see from this image of drought conditions in the southeast, some of our neighbors in Alabama and Florida are experiencing 'extreme drought' as well. Farther to the north, South Carolina, North Carolina, and even Virginia are also experiencing drought conditions.
As mentioned in other posts, I expect conditions for the short term to remain dry. I also expect conditions to worsen further unless we have a tropical system move through. Even showers and thunderstorms at this point will not overcome current conditions.
How much rain will it take ?
In my last post May 21, according to the Climate Prediction Center we needed 6 to 9 inches of rain to return to normal conditions. At this time the good news, 3 to 5 inches would help relieve the worst conditions for much of the state. The bad news, according to the Climate Prediction Center Drought Monitoring section, the local area now needs 9 to 12 inches for conditions to return to normal. Thats an increase of 3 inches since the last post about 2 weeks ago.
Well, that about covers it until next week for drought conditions. I hope we get much needed rain soon. Check back for updates.
On a side note: During these hot and dry conditions watch out for older folks and your neighbors. Don't forget your pets that are outside as well. Give them fresh water daily and often. You don't drink warm water do you ? Also, if you feed them dry food, don't give them more than they will eat. If there is left over food from the day before, throw it out for the birds. Many people don't know that dry food also spoils. It contains meat by products.
And hey, while were at it, if you have any weather related pictures consider sending them in and I'll put them on the blog. Give some detail about them and who you are as well. Email address is at the top left of the page.
Thanks for reading and until next time, Take Care ! ED
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Record Breaking Heat in Columbus and Georgia
 |
| August 1, 2010 |
Other Cities around the state also had highs in 100's.
ALBANY - 102
ALMA - 100
MACON - 100 RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE
VALDOSTA - 100
I don't know if the others broke/set a record.
Heres some recent high temperatures from the past weeks in Columbus.
TUE MAY 31 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE TIED AT COLUMBUS... A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 96 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBUS TODAY. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 96 SET BACK IN 1953. --- MON MAY 30 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE TIED AT COLUMBUS... A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 95 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBUS TODAY. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 95 SET IN 2006. --- SUN MAY 29 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT COLUMBUS... A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 96 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBUS SO FAR TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 95 SET IN 1962. --- THU MAY 26 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT COLUMBUS... A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 95 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBUS YESTERDAY. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 95 SET IN 1953. --- WED MAY 25 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE TIED AT COLUMBUS... THE HIGH TEMPERATURE IN COLUMBUS REACHED 95 DEGREES TODAY. THIS TIES THE RECORD FOR THAT DATE THAT WAS LAST SET 58 YEARS AGO IN 1953. --- SUN MAY 22 2011 ...RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET AT COLUMBUS... A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 96 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBUS TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 95 SET IN 1996.
You can see more records here - http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=ffc
I wonder what this summer will bring ? Feeling kinda Hot and Dry.
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