By Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte
Isn’t It Early for this Hot Weather?
With most of this week forecast to be in the 90s in the Junction City area, many local residents are wondering if this isn’t just a little bit early for this kind of weather. Average daily highs for May should be in the 70s and overnight lows in the 50s. In fact, the average daily highs for this week are just about where our lows are forecasted to be! So yes, it is above average, but it is not unheard of.
The earliest we have ever had a reading of 90 degrees or above was March 29, 1967 when the temperature did hit 90 degrees. Roughly 2/3 of the daily high records for the month of April are 90 or above and most of the daily record high temperatures in May are 90 or above. The record highs for this week are: 9th: 97 in 2011, 10th: 92 in 1963, 11th: 97 in 2000, 12th: 97 in 1956 and 13th: 89 in 2001. Given the most recent forecast (early afternoon on Monday) from the National Weather Service, we may not break any of those records.
If you are wondering how long it has been since we’ve had temperatures of 90 or above, well it’s been about seven months. On October 10th we hit 91 degrees; that was 211 days ago. If you are also wondering if this is a harbinger of what’s ahead this summer, it very well could be. At this time, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting May through September to be above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.