By Chuck Otte
August 2023 was hot, and it was dry. While the month itself was not record setting hot, there were several daily records that were broken or tied. According to weather consultant Chuck Otte the average daily high in August was 92.7, 4.7 degrees above normal. The average overnight low was 70.5, 4.2 degrees above normal. This gave us a monthly mean temperature of 81.6, 4.4 degrees above normal.
The lowest temperature for the month was the morning reading of 59 on the 18. The highest temperature for the month came a day later, on the 19th, when the mercury hit 112 degrees. While temperatures of 100 or above are expected every summer, temperatures of 110 or above have only been reached five times since reliable Junction City records were kept starting in 1948. On July 12, 13 and 14, 1954, the daily high hit 114 degrees each day. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Junction City.
The high of 112 on August 19, 2023, is the second hottest temperature ever reached in the Junction City area. On July 14, 1980, the high for the day was 110 degrees. The high of 112 on the 19th broke the old record for that date of 103 set in 1962 and reached again in 2003. The high of 106 on the 22nd broke the old record of 106 first set in 1948 and reached again in 2000. The high of 105 on the 24th tied the record high for that date, set in 2003.
Numerous overnight lows, during August, broke or tied old record high low temperatures. The low of 81 on the 2nd broke the old record of 80 set in 1964 and 1987. The low of 75 on the 19th broke the record of 74 set in 1972 and 1983. 78 on the 21st and 22nd broke the old records of 77 set in 2014, for the 21st and 1948/1962 for the 22nd. The low of 78 on the 24th broke the record of 76 set in 2021. The low of 79 on the 23rd tied the record set in 2000. The low of 78 on the 25th tied the record set in 2021.
In spite of all of those daily records, the month was not a record setter. The hottest August on record was in 2000 with a monthly mean temperature of 85.0. The coolest August on record was in 1981 with a monthly mean temperature of 71.5 degrees. Total rainfall in August was 1.93 inches, 2.62 inches below normal. The last time that the area received a 24-hour rainfall total of 1.0 inches or more was on July 5th. Year to date precipitation is 19.36 inches, over a half foot below normal.
The driest August on record was in 1971 when no rain was recorded. The wettest August on record was in 2013 when 10.33 inches deluged the region. This severe lack of rain and extreme temperatures means that vegetation across the area is tinder dry and local residents are urged to use great caution with outdoor fires and especially smoking materials. September should bring cooler temperatures, but, on average, drier conditions. Average daily highs range from 85 on the 1st to 75 by the 30th. Overnight lows begin the month at 64 and by the end of the month should be down to 51. Average rainfall for September is 2.85 inches. While the first frost of fall CAN occur in September, it is a very rare event only having happened 3 times in the past 72 years. The second half of October is far more common for the first frost of fall.