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July Weather Wrap

July Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

It was back to normal in July after a couple months of record cold and wet conditions. Temperatures averaged right at normal for the month with a mix of below and above normal conditions. Precipitation was slightly below average, but we are well above normal for the year overall.

The first week of the month was a continuation of June, with below normal temperatures and wet conditions. Temperatures were below normal every day from the 1st through the 8th, with the coldest day occurring on the 5th when high temperatures didn’t reach 600F.

A warmer and relatively dry period then took hold for the next week, with highs getting back to normal from the 9th through the 16th. Highs reached the upper 70s to upper 80s each afternoon, with most days just seeing afternoon clouds build up. But a lack of moisture in the region meant thunderstorms were not common as storms produced rainfall only on the 10th and the 15th.

The pattern finally began to shift to more monsoon-like conditions during the third week of the month as high pressure built in over the region from the southwest. This meant both an active pattern with daily thunderstorms each afternoon and evening and warmer temperatures before the storms formed. Temperatures were consistently in the mid-80s to low 90s from the 16th through the end of the month. Our hottest period occurred from the 24th through the 26th, with highs topping out at 93 on the 25th. This is right on cue for the warmest temperature of the month, with the third week of July representing the time of the year when temperatures are warmest on average overall.

Rainfall from the daily rounds of thunderstorms was hit and miss, with some areas receiving nearly an inch in an hour while just a few miles away only a few tenths of inch accumulated. The month ended with a bang, as several rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall developed during the evening of the 31st, producing 1-2 inches of rainfall for most locations.

A look ahead

August is the last true “summer” month for the region. We are often greeted with sunny, pleasant mornings that turn into afternoon and early evening thunderstorms. Highs during the month range from the mid-80s at the beginning of the month to mid-70s at the end. Temperatures at night get more comfortable as well, often dipping into the 40s.

July 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High 81.5° (-1.0°) 100-year return frequency value max 87.6° min 75.3°

Average Low 52.2° (+1.2°) 100-year return frequency value max 56.2° min 46.9°

Highest Temperature 93°F on the 25th

Lowest Temperature 42°F on the 1st

Monthly Precipitation 3.15” (-0.22” 6% below normal) 100-year return frequency value max 6.03” min 0.98”

Monthly Snowfall 0.0” Season to Date Snow 0.0” (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip 20.21”(+4.53” 40% above normal) (the precipitation now season is from Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 33 (+22)

Cooling Degree Days 91 (+1)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

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