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July 2009
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On the first day of June, it might seem that May has been unseasonably wet and cool. It might seem that way, but not really. We've had 1.56" of rain at SeaTac for the month of May, which is below the average of 1.73". Average temperatures for the month have run a little above normal. Remember that stretch of 80 degree+ temperatures two weeks ago? That was the culprit. That probably seemed impossibly remote this past weekend. I know it did to me. I felt drier scuba diving than I did on terra firma. It was really that soggy... Heading into June, the month summer officially begins, it's important to remember that while the summer solstice occurs this month, what most of us consider to be real summer weather doesn't really begin until approximately the middle of July. That isn't to say we can't expect nice weather in June. We can. The average high temperature jumps from May's 64 to 70 degrees, but average rainfall drops only slightly from 1.7" to 1.5". That's usually spread over 9 days (compared to 10 in May) and the number of clear days inches up to 7 (compared to 6 in May). Keep the sunscreen close at hand... you'll need it... eventually. 8 Comments |
So true.
I have a question for Jeff Renner. When were all of these averages established? Or are the new details added to the averages all of the time? Mostly because it seems that we are always below average in rainfall. Also; isn't this living proof that we have been undergoing a global warming condition for the last 20,000 years???
I'm wondering why weather.com lists May's rainfall average as 2.03 for Seattle whereas King-5 has the figure of 1.73. Do they take readings from different locations perhaps? I'm pretty sure King-5 gets its rainfall readings from Sea-tac. Does King-5 have monthly averages and monthly and daily records for temps, precips, etc. archived somewhere on the web site for public viewing?
Who cares if it is 2.03 or 1.73, Jeff does a great job! Thanks for all your hard work Jeff
Jeff is the man when it comes to weather.
My Co-Workers and I have noticed that it has been windier then normal since Jan, seem like we're living in Eastern Wa!! Is that so? And if it is, what is casuing all the wind?
Let me answer the questions posted in turn.
First, the climate averages (average high, low and precipitation) are based on statistics collected at SEATAC airport between 1971 and 2000. Record data (record highs, lows, rainfall and the like) are based on observations taken from 1945 to the present. The record data is constantly updated, the averages are updated periodically. This isn't the format to get into a detailed discussion of global warming, but in fact the accelerating increase in the record highs the past few decades in general and the past decade in particular speaks to a very recent upturn in average temperatures, and match very neatly in trend and magnitude the increase in CO2 emissions. If you saw the piece I recently did with University of Washington scientists researching expected local impacts of global warming, that may answer your questions. Perhaps I can offer up some of that separately at a later time.
The second question was the source of Weather.com statistics. I can't answer that, but the 2.03" they quoted for SEATAC is incorrect, and SEATAC does serve as the reference station for the Seattle metro area.
Finally, it has been a windy spring. We've had a series of fairly strong low pressure systems swing through, and the contrast in pressure between those lows and the highs either in place before they arrive or those that follow the lows generates the gusty winds you mention.
On your 5 day extended forcast....there is no Wednesday. Are we not doing that day? :) Thanks for keeping us up to date with the weather.