ChescoWx

Record daily rain for Chester County of 1.66" besting the old mark set way back in 1914

Thanks LV...leaning toward big swings with overall near average temps but above average snow - but let's see where we stand in early November

Hello again from Paul at the East Nantmeal PA Weather Station (www.chescowx.com). Be sure to follow me on twitter at chescopawxman where I am tweeting daily climate reports, forecast updates and weather and drone photos of our beautiful Township. When I wrote my last article, in early August we had just experienced a warmer and wetter than normal July. This included 2 days that exceeded 90 degrees; however, those 2 days would be the only days all summer that exceeded 90 degrees. So technically out township never experienced a heat wave (defined as 3 consecutive days over 90) As I mentioned in my last article down in Philadelphia at the airport, they recorded 35 days over 90 degrees with multiple heat waves. The relative high elevation of our township spares us from many 90-degree days (we only average 4 in a typical summer season) . August would continue our warmer than normal stretch marking the 9th straight month of above normal temperatures. The average temperature was 72.4 which was 2.2 degrees above normal. One big change in our weather was the turn to a much drier pattern that would last throughout both August and September. During August we recorded only 2.71” of rain which was 1.59” below normal. This followed 5 straight months from March through July with above normal rainfall. September would start off wet with 1.16” of rain falling on the 2nd but only another 0.68” would fall over the remaining 28 days of the month. We would end the month with only 1.84” of rain which is 2.90” below our normal September rainfall of 4.74”. No doubt both our Township farmers and residents noticed their fields and lawns quickly turning brown. However, despite the back to back dry months we are still running 110% of normal YTD rainfall with 40.85” of rain and melted snow having fallen in East Nantmeal so far in 2019. September continued our string of above normal temperatures with an average temp of 67.3 degrees (+2.3 degrees to normal). However, we did record our 1st couple of mornings with an autumnal chill as both the 19th and 20th saw low temps in the upper 40’s with the lowest being the 47.6 on the 19th. Those mornings marked the 1st sub-50-degree temperatures in the Township since the 47.4 back on June 4th. Overall for the summer period from June through September we averaged a temperature of 71.3 this was the 45th warmest summer in Chester County since local records began in 1894. The warmest being the 74.7 average recorded way back in the summer of 1900. This year was the 6th warmest summer in the 36 years dating back to 1983. As I write this on October 6th, we have noted a pretty large pattern change that looks to persist through much of the rest of October with cooler and wetter weather in our future. We have not yet recorded a sub-freezing temperature meaning our growing season (days between last and 1st freezes) continues here in the township. The average growing season in East Nantmeal is 188 days. This has ranged from as few as 144 days in 1996 to 233 days in 2005. Today is our 188th day of this growing season. The average date of our 1st freeze is October 23rd; however, it has occurred as early as October 1st in 1993 and as late as November 23rd in 2015. Snowfall is unlikely in the township until late November; however, we have experienced significant snowfalls in the last 8 years most notably the 9” of wet snow that fell on October 29, 2011 and the 7.3” of snow that fell last November 15thand 16th. During November we average just over 1” of snow and during December just under 5 inches. Our normal average seasonal snowfall is 36.6” (fun fact this is the same as Chicago IL) I will hold off on my annual detailed monthly winter forecast until our next issue just before the holidays….however, I am expecting a slightly above normal snow season and at least one major snowstorm of greater than 10”. Until next time I hope all of you enjoy the autumn weather. If you have any questions, please visit my website, follow me on twitter or send me an email. Until next time –All the best! Paul Until next time –All the best! Paul “Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise” Ben Franklin

0.25" of rain overnight here in Western Chester County - AM low is the current 53.4

Today's high stayed in the 50's across most of the high spots in Western Chester County with Elverson at 56.2 / Hawk Hill in Downingtown at 58.3 and West Bradford at 58.0. Today's high in East Nantmeal was the coolest high since the 53.3 back on May 14th. While today's 57.7 was well below our average high of 65.9 it is not close to our lowest max temp for the date of 52.0 back in 1999

We recorded a new daily record high temperature today here in Western Chester County with a high of 87.6 breaking the all-time record of 87 set back in 1927 and local elevation record of 84 set back in 2002.

No such luck with 40's on top of the hills of NW Chester County...our low was only 51.6 - although many spots around me below 500 ft ASL have indeed hit the 40's this morning.

1st early high level winter forecast from the folks at WeatherBell show a slow start to winter but averaging only slightly above normal temps with snowfall in our area at 125% of normal August 2019 Plenty of potential for a severe winter. East will have to overcome early warmth. SST analogs are amazingly close to a blend of 2013-14 and 2014-15. Warm northeastern Pacific and cooler Nino1+2 usually a great cold signal. Snowfall should be generous.

So far today in Western Chesco Hi/Lo 77.1/65.0 (may drop lower before midnight) +7.8 above normal . Of note tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Floyd....I recorded the greatest single day rain event in Chester County since records began in 1894. On that day my station measured 8.28" of rain. It was a very chilly day for the date with the temp falling much of the afternoon as the rain bands intensified coming in off the ocean and up-sloped into Western Chester County....we bottomed out at 57.4 at 9:11pm. I remember watching water rescues taking place at Route 30 and 340 in Thorndale with boats in the intersection next to the McDonalds rescuing folks who tried to drive through the flooding.

Climate Summary for 9/12/19 for Western Chester County PA

Sorry guys been away a bit - thanks for the suggestions!!

The last 2 days here in Western Chester County PA have been the lowest daily max temps in the last 37 years for August 25th and August 26th. Yesterday's high was 71.5 breaking the previous record low max of 72.5 in 2010 and today's high of only 69.2 broke the old record of 71.1 set back in 2006, Today's AM low was 56.7 - nowhere near the record Western Chester County low of 49.0 back in 1987.

Today's climate summary for the philly burbs of Western Chester County PA at East Nantmeal Hi/Lo 71.5/55.3 and at the KMQS Chester County Airport 73.4/57.2 our 3rd straight below normal day. We should make it to 6 straight days with highs in the 70's through Wednesday-enjoy! It would appear we are done with any 90+ days in the Western burbs and will end the season with only 2 days exceeding 90 in East Nantmeal and 4 at the KMQS Airport.

Climate summary for today in Western Chester County KMQS (87.8/69.8) EN (84.8/69.4) of course any dream of 90+ days for the rest of the season are over in Western Chesco but of note of the 31 Mt Holly NWS/FAA sites across PA/NJ/DE/MD all but 8 sites hit 90+ today including Andover/Sussex/TTN/Lehighton/MPO/KMQS/KPTW/KLOM

Does anyone know of any roofing guys or handymen who can get on a high roof (3 stories and also with the current 9 feet above street level rules) and move and remount a Vantage Vue Weather Station? My weather station was apparently mounted to a vent pipe by the builder and appears this might be causing a leak in my ceiling. So I need to move it and remount in a more traditional spot with a bracket and brace on the roof. Having a tough time finding anyone to help out. Any Cape May County contacts or folks you know who will travel to Sea Isle City for the job? If so please send me a private message with email/contact info. Thanks! Paul

But still not an official "heat wave" with 3 consecutive days....correct?

But was it really a heat wave (3 straight days of 90+) ? It certainly could be at your location....but for the majority of the area it has not...just sayin

Today's Highs across Western Chester County ranged from 87.8 at KMQS and 86.2 in East Nantmeal....of course no heat wave in Western Chester County PA as neither location has seen a day above 90 degrees during this stretch. Of interest of the 31 NWS/FAA sites across the Tri-State area of PA/NJ/DE only 12 sites or 39% of all such stations reported a heat wave with the last 3 days exceeding the 90 degree mark. While 13 sites saw 2 days over 90; 3 sites saw only 1 day over 90 and of course the old chilly standbys of Mount Pocono; Chester County Airport and East Nantmeal Township saw no such days. If it wasn't for the local news only using PHL airport would a report of a heat wave in the philly area constitute fake news?