Weekly U.S. Weather Extremes
For the week of June 21st through June 27th, there were 2,534 records broken or tied across the U.S. according to data from the National Climatic Data Center. There were 572 high temperature extremes, 125 low temperature records, 726 precipitation records and no snowfall extremes that included airport and cooperative observers across the 50 states. The rest of the data were high minimum temperature and low maximum readings.
The majority of last week’s high temperature records were observed east of the Rockies. On June 21st, Dothan, Alabama was sizzling with a high of 103 degrees. It was 102 degrees at Tallahassee, Florida. That temperature, combined with higher humidity levels, made for very uncomfortable conditions due to a high heat index. Albany, Georgia also hit 102 degrees. On the 22nd, Dothan, Alabama was 104 degrees. It was 102 at Vero Beach, Florida. In the central U.S., Salina, Kansas was 104 degrees and it was 102 at Crockett, Texas. The heat continued on the 23rd as Austin, Texas reported a hot 103 degrees. Normally mild Necedah, Wisconsin reported 95 degrees and it was 103 degrees at Alexandria, Louisiana. There wasn’t any relief on the 24th as Waco, Texas was 106 degrees. West Allis, Wisconsin came close to the century mark with a record high of 98 degrees. More hot weather in Texas as La Grange observed a high of 107 degrees on the 26th. It was 103 at Chandler, Oklahoma and 103 degrees at Monroe, Louisiana.
While very hot weather was observed to the east, the western states were reporting record low temperatures. On June 21st, Sacramento, California tied a record with a 52 degree reading. It was 31 degrees at Jess Valley, California and 33 degrees at Vernon, Utah. Mullen Pass, Idaho dropped to 32 degrees on the 22nd. Redmond, Oregon was a cold 31 degrees and Bryce Canyon, Utah dipped to 27 degrees. On the 23rd, Death Valley, California, known for its very hot weather, had a record low of 72 degrees. It was much colder at Winchester, Idaho with a low of 34 degrees. Holden Village, Washington was 30 degrees on the 23rd as well. Record lows were also reported in Alaska last week as Tonsina was 30 degrees and Anchorage was 40 degrees on the 25th.
Most precipitation totals were trace amounts of moisture totals less than three inches. But, at Portage Glacier in Alaska, 4.25 inches of rain fell on the 22nd. Inverness, Florida had an impressive 6.19 inches of rain on the 24th. On the 25th, 3.13 inches of rain fell at Superior, Nebraska. Paris, Kentucky reported 3.71 inches on the 26th and Red Lake Falls, Minnesota observed 3.23 inches of moisture on the 27th.
By Meteorologist Randy Mann
