Let me just start things off by showing you the chart of temperatures from July 1st through the 31st recorded at the Bremerton National Airport:
Now, when I averaged up the numbers, I was a little surprised to find that the average high and low was 65.4 degrees compared to the normal 65.3. It doesn’t seem right, but I averaged up the temperatures several times and each time the numbers came out the same. My suspicion is the Bremerton low temperatures were unusually chilly, tampering with the average some. Also, in early to mid month we did experience a very impressive cool down that brought highs into the upper 50s/low 60s for a few days which also could’ve resulted in a lower average. Still, I didn’t expect us to be that close to normal when all was said and done.
The average HIGH temperature, however, was not surprising. We averaged 79.7 degrees for a high, and when we compare that to the normal 75.3 degrees we find we were 4.4 degrees above our normal high. That sounds about right! The heatwave really did us in.
Precipitation was well below normal at 0.08” compared to the normal 0.79”.
Looking back at July 2009 I think we can all agree that it was an extreme month:
- A couple strong thunderstorms that displayed some impressive lightning and wind
- A dramatic marine push July 11th-12th that brought highs from 86 degrees on the 11th to 57 degrees on the 12th.
- Rare thunderheads most commonly seen in the midwest
- Severe thunderstorms plauging the Olympics and Cascades for over a week
- An historical and long-lasting heatwave that brought temperatures to never-before-recorded levels of 104 in Bremerton on July 29th as well as 103 in Seattle and 100+ in numerous other locations.
I never thought the middle of summer would offer such impressive extremes here. I was very much betting on experiencing a low-key, blah mid-summer season. That certianly wasn’t the case.
I’ll do a long range prediction tomorrow, but I must say some cooler air and more precipitation definitley looks likely in the extended forecast. If you’re looking for July’s heat to extended into this month you may be out of luck. I’ll go into more detail tomorrow.
For now, get out and enjoy the summer sun while it lasts!
Matthew Leach
Forecasting Kitsap
7 DAY FORECAST
