Another Fairly Normal Weather Month 

By Russell Russ

July was yet another fairly average month for weather in Norfolk. Except for a few warmer than normal average monthly temperatures during the months of January, February and April, all other months this year have been very average for both temperature and precipitation. Other regions of the country (and world) are still recording weather extremes, but Norfolk appears to be in a bit of a nice happy medium for weather. Things can always change weather-wise so enjoy the pleasant weather while it lasts.

July’s high temperature of 86 degrees was observed on July 20, and the low temperature of 50 degrees was observed on both July 26 and 30. With an average monthly mean temperature of 68.2 degrees, it was just 0.1 degree above average. We still have not reached the 90 degree mark this year at the weather station. July 2013 with a monthly mean temperature of 72.7 degrees was Norfolk’s warmest July. The coolest July was in 1962 with a temperature of 63.9 degrees.

The total precipitation recorded for the month was 3.89 inches, 0.45 inches below normal. Something that was a little unusual for July was the fact that not one thunderstorm was observed at the weather station during the month. Norfolk is getting a fair amount of rain, but the big storms and severe weather have not been making a direct hit on the station.

Through July, the total precipitation for the year was 27.22 inches. This is 2.63 inches below normal. We are below normal for the year so far, but we are in much better shape than the last two summers. Last summer we were nearly nine inches below normal, and the year before that we were over four inches below normal. The lawns have enjoyed the moisture and have looked nice and green this summer, but the trees are still suffering from the previous two years of drought. Many trees, especially the maples and ash continue to struggle and have even begun to turn color earlier than usual.

An early look at August shows that it was seasonably warm with several hazy, hot and humid days to start off the month. Through the first half of the month we continued to see typical summer weather, still not reaching 90 degrees for a high temperature. Rainfall was a little below normal, but a good summer thunderstorm could change that quickly. Autumn is just around the corner.

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