It's hot and dry!!

So far this has been the hottest year in Rockford ever recorded.  So just how hot and dry has it been?  Lets take a look at the numbers.

Normally, Rockford averages 21 days a year where the temperature is at or above 90 degrees.  So far in 2012, we have seen 30 days at or above 90 degrees.  The average daily high temperature in June was 85.7 degrees, and June was over 3 degrees warmer than normal.  So far in July the average daily high temperature is 95.1 degrees, and July has been over 8 degrees warmer than normal.

So how does this compare to previous years?  Well, we currently have 30 days at or above 90 degrees, and we still have a ways to go until Fall.  In Rockford's history, we've had 12 separate years with 40 or more days at or above 90.  The record is in 1921, when we had a total of 62 days.  In that year, 27 out of 31 days in July were at or above 90.  Even though 2012 has been warmer than usual, the extreme heat during this summer is still not the hottest, at least not yet.  In July of 1936, we had 9 straight days at or above 100 degrees, including the all time high of 112!!  1936 had a total of 15 days at or above 100 degrees, and 2012 has only seen 5 days so far.

So I would say we are on a good pace to match or beat that 27 day record for July (14 out of 16 days this July so far), and we could have a shot of coming close to meeting or exceeding the 62 day yearly record.  1921 also saw a 21 day in a row streak of 90 degree or warmer days, and this year we've only had a long streak of 10 days in a row.

We have also been extremely dry.  Right now we are in a severe drought, and without rainfall in the near future, there is good possibility we could be upgraded to an extreme drought.  Rockford has still only received a total of less than an inch of rain since June 1st (0.83 inches).  We are 5.83 inches below normal since June 1st, and 7.92 inches below normal for the year.  It's estimated we could need 6-12 inches of rain within the next month to get us out of drought conditions.  Let's hope we can get some much needed rain soon, we surely could use it!!

Just how dry are we?

Drought conditions continue to persist over northern Illinois heading into the middle of July.  NOAA's current drought outlook through the end of September is showing a tendency for the drought conditions to either persist further or intensify.

Rockford has received less than an inch of rain since June 1st.  In fact we've only received 0.69 inches of rain.  The normal amount we should have up to this point is 5.91 inches, so we are more than 5 inches short of normal values.  We've only had 0.03 inches in July so far!!  Looking at the year, we are more than 7 inches short of normal values since January 1st.

What does this mean?  It means it will take a lot to get us out of the drought conditions.  Right now the Climate Predication Center shows it could take 6-12 inches of rain in the next month to get us out of this drought, which is not looking at all likely.

Plant life and crops release water, taken in from the soil, into the air through a process called evapotranspiration.  With such little water in the soil, and plants drying up, we see less and less moisture being put into the atmosphere.  This can only heighten the dry conditions.  This also allows temperatures to rise more than normal, as it's easier for dry air to become warmer than moist air.  Let's just hope we can get some much needed rain sooner rather than later.

Relief in sight

Relief from the heat is on it's way.  After 3 straight days over 100, we will again have another hot day on Saturday, with highs climbing into the upper 90s. However Saturday afternoon a cold front will begin to push south into the area which should bring some much needed relief from the heat Saturday evening and into Sunday.  There will also be a slim chance for some much needed rain and isolated storms.

Rockford has not had 3 straight 100 degree days since way back in 1936, when we actually had 9 straight 100 degree days running from July 6th through July 14th. That stretch also included the highest temperature recorded in Rockford at 112 degrees, on July 14th, 1936.  Not only did we have a 3 day stretch this year, we also broke the record high temperatures all three days, which were previously held in 1911, 1911, and 1936 respectively.

After the cold front slides through late Saturday, we can expect temps to stick in the 80s for at least the next several days.  Nights will also be cooler with lows in the 60s.  There is a chance we could warm back up a little bit late next week, but as of now we will avoid the 90 and 100 degree weather.  Now we just need to hope we can get some much needed rain soon, which is another thing that is lacking in the current future's forecast.

The heat wave continues

An Excessive Heat Warning will remain in effect throughout northern Illinois through 10pm Friday night.  Temperatures on Thursday/Friday could reach into the 100-105 range, with the heat index pushing 105-115 in the afternoon hours.

Highs on Wednesday reached 102 in Rockford, beating the old record of 101 set back in 1911.  Similar conditions to come for Thursday and Friday.  The record temperature in Rockford for Thursday is 100, set in 1911.  The record for Friday is 102, set in 1936.  I think we will have a good chance of breaking Thursday's record, and coming close on Friday.

Nighttime will also be very warm, with lows only falling to the upper 70s, although we won't have to deal with the heat index as much during the night hours.  Looking ahead we should begin to feel some relief from this heat going into the weekend and into early next week, more on that to come later.

Take extra precautions if working outdoors.  Work in the early morning or late afternoon hours, wear loose fitting clothing, and keep hydrated.  Take frequent breaks inside air conditioned buildings or in the shade.  Also remember to never leave pets or children in vehicles, as they can reach deadly temperatures within a matter of minutes.