Second Warmest August on Record

By Russell Russ

August was another warm and sunny summer month for Norfolk. If you like warm, sunny weather with little rain, then this summer has to rank way up there near the top for beautiful weather conditions. August of 2016 was very similar to August of 2015, except this year it was a little warmer and a little wetter—yes, wetter this August.

August was near normal for rainfall, but the continuing deficit is a growing concern for our region. According to NOAA, by late August, Norfolk, most of Connecticut and a good portion of New England were all experiencing some form of drought. Norfolk itself was classified as being in a condition of moderate drought.

The month’s high temperature of 90 degrees was observed on August 13. The low of 48 degrees was observed on August 23. The monthly average mean temperature was 70.2 degrees, 3.9 degrees warmer than normal. At the weather station this summer there were two days at or above 90 degrees, July 22 and August 13. This is about average for Norfolk, but the last previous 90-degree day was in 2013.

There were no daily temperature records set this month, but it was the second warmest August and also the thirteenth warmest month of any month over the last 85 years. Norfolk’s warmest August was in 2001 with an average temperature of 71.0 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 4.51 inches, 0.12 inches below normal. It was near normal for rainfall, but the month did add to our yearly precipitation deficit. Through August, the total precipitation amount for the year was 25.82 inches. This is 8.75 inches below normal.

Last summer we were talking about how dry it was and that it could be a record dry year. In fact, 2015 was a dry year, the seventh driest on record for Norfolk. This year we are 2.03 inches drier than we were through August last year. It could be another top ten or even top five finish unless we pick up some much needed rainfall in the coming months.

Weather observations are recorded by the Great Mountain Forest at Norfolk’s National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observer Station, Norfolk 2 SW.