This hasn’t necessarily been the hottest summer in central Pennsylvania, based on the average high temperatures each day.
The average temperature for July has actually been slightly under 80 degrees, according to Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with State College’s National Weather Service.
Evanego did point out that the average temperature for the day is the mean of the highs and lows during the day. Additionally, temperatures aren’t dropping much over night, even if the daily highs haven’t been all that much higher than usual.
He added, “We’ve had warm days, but very warm nights.” And I believe that’s what’s been raising the month’s average temperature.
Our average temperature from July 1 to July 29 has been 79.7 degrees, which is the tenth highest on record, according to Evanego.
Evanego observed that the maximum recorded daily low temperatures in the region have been near record highs.
For instance, this week’s Monday and Tuesday low temperatures only hit 74 degrees.
“It’s difficult when it doesn’t cool down much at night,” he stated. Since 1888, the average high and low temperatures for July have been 75.8 degrees. We are therefore nearly four degrees over it, which is noteworthy when you take a month into account.
As you might expect, the primary culprit is the unusually rainy summer we’re having. More heat is retained in the air overnight when humidity levels are high.
According to Evanego, the humidity has been quite high, almost unbearable. That’s a result of all the rain we’ve been getting.
But rather of merely enveloping us in more sweltering, humid air, this week’s rain might finally provide some respite.
Evanego stated that although Thursday is expected to be another hot and muggy day with the potential for flash floods, the storms will eventually cause the temperature to drop on Friday.
The possibility of significant rain tomorrow, when that front finally begins to move south of us, will likely be the major story in the days ahead, according to Evanego. After all of the heat and humidity we’ve witnessed, the notably cooler temperatures and drier weather as the weekend approaches will be a welcome change of pace.
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Sean Adams
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