Heat Wave Round #2

Sunday started another heat wave in Central Virginia with a high of 96 degrees, but highs through Thursday should hover around 100 degrees as a result of a broad, strong high pressure system parked over the Eastern U.S. This means much of the densely populated Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cities on the East Coast are also in the grips of the heat wave with high temperatures around 100 degrees from D.C. to Philly to NYC. Richmond International Airport has already recorded three 100-degree-days in June, all of which reached 102 degrees. We could top that number by Wednesday with an expected high temperature of 103.

Year with most 100 degree days: 1954 had 9

Average number of 100 degree days in a year: 1

2010 to date: 3

We could potentially add four more 100-degree-days this week if we hit 100 degrees Monday through Thursday. This would put our tally at seven, just two shy of the record for the most 100-degree-days in a single year!

Record Highs to Beat This Week:

July 5: 101 (1990)

July 6: 105 (1977)

July 7: 103 (1977)

July 8: 102 (1993)

Hottest Richmond temperature on record: 107 degrees (August 6, 1918)

Average number of 90-degree-days in a year: 40

2010 to date (through Sunday, July 4): 27

We just had the hottest Spring on record followed by the hottest June on record. Could we continue on track for the hottest Summer overall? Be safe in the heat this week!

Tropics Update - Sunday Evening 7/4

It looks like we could have Bonnie brewing the the Caribbean. This wave is drifting to the northwest and should continue to strengthen, especially when it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Most data has it developing tropical storm force winds by tomorrow. It appears that the other wave in the northern Gulf will move inland before it intensifies anymore.

Tropics Update - Sunday Morning 7/4

We are still watching the weak disturbance in the northern Gulf. There is a very slim chance that this could develop into a tropical depression in the next couple days. We are also tracking a wave in the western Caribbean. This wave will enter the Gulf in the next couple days and could strengthen into a depression. We'll keep an eye on both areas and continue to bring you updates!

More Fireworks in the Gulf?

Alex has dissipated over the mountainous terrain of Mexico, but a new disturbance is now trying to develop in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This system should be slow to develop, but as you can see from the model spaghetti plot above, there is a consensus for an eventual track over Mississippi. The gulf waters are very warm and a ridge is in place over the area, so this system will need to be watched closely.

Record Setting June: Hottest & 2nd Driest

June 2010 at Richmond International Airport was officially the hottest on record with an average temperature of 81.1 degrees, beating the old record from 1943 of 79.2 degrees. The typical average temperature in June is 74.3 degrees. Remember, the average temperature is a balance of each day's high and low temperatures. Not only did we have very hot afternoons with 19 days out of the month at 90 degrees or hotter, but we also had warm overnight temperatures in the 70's 19 times out of 30. If this trend continues, we are on track to become the record hottest Summer (June-July-August) on record, which is currently from 1900 with an average temperature of 79.6 degrees.

In addition to the heat, we were very dry all month. In fact, nearly all of our year-to-date rainfall deficit is a result of our lack of rainfall in June (we're now down 3.68" for the year). Officially at RIC, we recorded 0.82" for the month of June. This is the 2nd driest June ever. The driest was in 1980 with a meager 0.38" recorded. Most of the state is now in the beginnings of a drought with "abnormally dry" conditions reported this week.

Alex Weakens to Tropical Storm

Hurricane Alex made landfall in northern Mexico last night as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. This morning, Alex has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm with sustained wind speeds of 70 mph as it tracks west toward the mountains of northern Mexico at 12 mph. Alex should weaken to a Depression over the next 24 hours, and completely dissipate by Saturday. Alex's only U.S. impacts include heavy rain for Texas and a few tornadoes, as well as rough seas in the Gulf.