A frosty spring, a dry May, a hot July and here we are…reaping the rewards! Have ‘maters ripening by the dozen and picked our first cantaloupe on Monday (who knew you could grow those here?) My question to you: what’s the best way to freeze the tomatoes so we can enjoy them into the fall and winter??? HELP!!!

Changeable skies today…sunshine this morning with rainfall and some storms moving from west to east through the afternoon. Storm Prediction Center calls our severe weather chances today “meager.” http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html
We’ll be here keeping an eye on Stormtracker just in case.

National Hurricane Center is mentioning the potential for a few other named storms developing in the central Atlantic by the end of the week: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATWOAT+shtml/270231.shtml
Next two names: Harvey and Irene.

Yesterday I listed what seemed to be the 5 hottest stretches of weather in Middle Tennessee since records have been kept (you can see that below.) Had a question in the comments section asking about what the following winters looked like (people love their snow here, huh?) So here’s what I found:

1930-31: 5.2″ of snow
1943-44: 3″
1983-84: 9.7″
1954-55: 8″
1952-53: 0.8″
———————-
An average Tennessee winter: 9″

Couple of things jumped out at me here. First, all 5 seasons were either close to or below normal. Second, 4 of those 5 seasons had an early snow in November and/or December. 3rd, no storms over 6″ in any of those 5 seasons. Finally, not one of those seasons in the top 20 snowiest.

Note: The forecast method of a cool August, wet October and busy hurricane season didn’t work last winter. All of those pointed at a snowy upcoming winter, so don’t lose hope for this winter quite yet. Sadly at this point, the woolly worm is still more reliable (kills me a scientist to say that!)

The red numbers are 2 pm temperatures. Notice the 90’s being replaced by 70’s and 60’s behind the front. We may not get that cool for daytime highs, but we’ll drop to 80’s, with 60’s for lows Thursday and Friday, and somewhat lower humidity. By the way, the “flags” show the wind speed and direction. The “flags” are pointing in the direction the wind is coming from, with the point aimed downwind. One barb means 10 knots, 2 barbs mean 20 knots, a half barb is 5 knots. Notice the winds shift from southwest in the hot air to north and northeast in the cooler air. The green numbers are dew points, and the purple dots signify rain.

We’ll have a good chance for t’storms tomorrow. We’ll have to watch them closely on News 2 Stormtracker.

By late Thursday and Friday a little more comfortable.

96 degrees yesterday at Nashville International and shooting for 97 today! Last time to 97 degrees: August 5th of 2002. If we somehow get to 98 degrees for the max today it would be the hottest day in almost 5 years! (100 on August 17th, 2000) Of course, the actual temperature only tells part of the story. The high humidity levels will put the heat index up around 105 this afternoon.

Relief is on the way (don’t think I’d ever be so happy to see some rain!) A cool front will spread showers and a few embedded storms into Middle Tennessee during the day Wednesday. Not expecting a lot of strong weather despite all the humidity in the air, but we’ll keep an eye on it as it moves closer. Much lower humidity will take hold starting Thursday…it will feel downright refreshing compared to what we’ve had around here lately.

How about a little historical perspective? I’ve found what looks like the 5 hottest stretches of weather in Middle Tennessee since records have been kept:

5) August 6-9, 1930: 4 straight days above 100 degrees and three record highs of 104, 104, and 105.

4) August 24-27, 1943: Also 4 straight days above 100 degrees ranging from 100-104. August of ‘43 was the 8th warmest August on record.

3) 1983: 4 straight record highs from August 20-23 and the second warmest August on record. The latest 100 degree day ever on September 11th.

2) 1954: Known for its consistent heat all summer long. Records were on and off throughout July and August. July was the hottest average temperature on record (84.1) and August was the 7th hottest (82.3.) 4 days in September were above 100 degrees with 3 record highs!

1) 1952: Earliest to 100 and remained that way for three days (June 15-17th.) Hottest days ever in Middle Tennessee: 107 in Nashville on July 27th and 28th. All time records in Columbia (109), Shelbyville (107) and Springfield (106).

Certainly makes what will be 7 straight days at or above 90 (9 out of last 10 days) seem pretty small, huh?

One last note: Since we’ve had Franklin and Gert I’m sure your’re wondering what the next names on the list are (at least I did yesterday!) Here they are: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml

This about says it all…my wife found our dog Shilo (who loves the outside world) in the shade of our garden taking in the view. No doubt about it…the dog days of summer are here!

A heat advisory remains in effect for central and western Middle Tennessee through Tuesday evening. We are adding one or two degrees to our temperatures each day and along with the humidity, the heat index will climb well above 100 degrees for the next two afternoons. As if you needed another reason to limit your time outdoors, air quality will again be poor this afternoon.

Official Nashville International high temp yesterday: 94 degrees…amazingly not the warmest temperature so far this summer (96.) While we may still get around 96 today or Tuesday, it seems as if readings didn’t quite jump to touted levels. Why? Probably the soil moisture. The remnants of Dennis brought in some much needed rainfall two weeks ago and made our lawns greener. (More green than they probably should be this time of year.) It is no mistake that our two warmest days (June 30th and July 4th) came before that rain did. That 2-5″ of rain from Dennis did a number on our chances to hit 100 this summer. No doubt we would have been talking 100+ temperatures today if Dennis hadn’t visited. Still we can’t rule out that chance of 100 later this summer if we have an extended period of dry weather in the late July/early August timeframe. As a matter of fact, we are about a half inch of rain shy of the norm for the month of July so far.

We show you regularly the airport readings across the state, but there are dozens of other readings from observers throughout Middle Tennessee…they are updated every day around mid morning here under the title of “Middle Tennessee Weather Summary.”
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/climate.html
Look for your community!

Interesting article about how the abnormally high temperatures may linger for awhile out west: http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/050721_heat_more.html

The tropics remain busy but aren’t gathering headlines because the named storms (Franklin and Gert) are only tropical storms. You can updates on each here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Stay cool out there!!!!

The observed Heat Index for towns around Middle Tennessee this afternoon from the National Weather Service’s Automated Stations

Actual temperatures during the afternoon, and temps were still rising.

Here’s the culprit for our heat wave. High pressure in the upper levels creates sinking air which is compressed and heats up. This sinking air also does not allow for dispersion of pollutants.

Ozone is expected to be in the moderate range today and Monday. Ozone is created by sunlight and heat combining with pollutants. Ozone is good in the upper atmosphere where it shields us from ultra-violet light. However, here at the surface, it is bad for us to breathe into our lungs. People who have sensitive respiratory systems should stay inside or reduce outdoor activities.