KOKC (Oklahoma City airport) heat: hottest July, August, and summer on record

[OKpowdah]

Day 56 of 90+ today. Tied for the second longest streak on record. Behind just 1980 now with 71

[brettjrob]

Another incredible example of the lasting impact of moderate-heavy rainfall in this severe drought environment. A severe cell passed over Weatherford yesterday evening and dumped 1.55" at the Mesonet site...

[AtticaFanatica]

Love seeing details like that on the mesonet.

[natecast]

Mike Morgan from KFOR is going with a high of 110 for OKC this coming Monday. The center of the ridge looks to establish itself firmly over OK by the end of this weekend, and thicknesses will be increasing at the same time. Could get historically ugly around here if everything falls into place.

[LocoAko]

Nuts... Of course the 100s is disappointing since it has been above 100F every day except 2 for the past 30 or so...

[brettjrob]

Mike Morgan might as well have been talking about today. Looks like most of the state W of I-35 should make a run at their July 9 readings, maybe a degree or two shy. We were actually running ahead of pace up until 1pm or so, and have since fallen about a degree behind. Still thinking 107-109 F for most of the immediate metro Mesonet sites, and probably 105-106 F for the airport.

Also, not OKC, but in our CWA:

... All-time record warm minimum temperature set at Wichita Falls...

Yesterday's low temperature of 88 degrees at Wichita Falls set

an all-time record for the warmest low temperature for any

calendar date. The previous record for July 26 was 83 degrees

set in 1954. The previous all-time warmest low was 87 degrees

which occurred on August 16... 1952. Temperature records date

back to the early 1920s.

[snowmanwx]

Just did some data mining. Right now, KOKC is at 95°F/76°F maximum/minimum temperature for today. If this holds (i.e., a lower minimum isn't set before midnight), it ties 25 July-24 August 1980 for the hottest 31-day period at WIll Rogers World Airport. (This does not include Depression-era statistics. Summer months in 1934 and 1936 were hotter at 1923 North Classen Boulevard.) If the temperature continues to increase today, then this year breaks that record.

[brettjrob]

I think yesterday gave us the record for most >100 F days in any July (25). It might be the most for any calendar month -- not sure if any August has had more.

Also, holy sh*t.

[brettjrob]

Now that the stats are in, I compiled some preliminary information for the month. Not sure which of these numbers is most impressive... so many to choose from.

July 2011 at KOKC

Mean High: 102.5 F (+9.4 F)

Mean Low: 75.9 F (+5.1 F)

Mean Temp: 89.2 F (+7.2 F)

Days >=100 F: 27

Days >=105 F: 8

Days with record highs: 5 (07/07, 07/09, 07/10*, 07/12*, 07/27) *tie

Highest Temp: 110 F (07/09)

Lowest Temp: 71 F (07/05)

Lowest Max: 96 F (07/25)

Highest Min: 81 F (07/13)

Records:

- Warmest July (89.2 F; old 88.3 in 1980 and 1936)

- Warmest month (89.2 F; old 88.7 in Aug 1936)

- Most >=100 F days in July (27; old 24 in 1980)

- Most >=100 F days in any month ever (27; old unknown)

- Warmest maximum in July (110 F; tied 1996)

Also, 2011 is the only year in which every day in June and July was >= 90 F

[Roy]

Since moving to the awful West Texas desert, I have gotten used to heat and little rain. But, things are so bad here even the locals have commented on it. The heat is insane. I just long for a day of 99 degrees. On the plus side, the temperature does drop quickly, so it's already below 100. We finally have gotten a few little pathetic showers here and there, but nothing of significance. But hey, we can't beg when we haven't gotten even .20 of an inch of rain SINCE OCTOBER 2010.

Please, dear God, I beg of you....we need the rain.

Just about going insane here. Thank goodness it rained on us some when we went to Boston for vacation in early July.

To be frank, while it's bad here, the core of the worst heat is to the east of us now. The numbers in my home state of Kansas and down into Oklahoma are just incredible. Hard to even fathom. Growing up, we had some awful hot years, but nothing even coming close to this. And there were at least breaks in the heat, which we don't get here in Texas but normally get further north.

[Calderon]

already 100 at Will Rogers World Airport (KOKC) at 11am

[brettjrob]

Noon ob: 103 F

107 F at Kingfisher

Running 5 F ahead of pace from 7/9, when OKC hit 110 F. No doubt, significant downslope wind component is helping with the early boost, but I'm guessing 108-110 F by 5pm.

RUC analysis shows H5 high centered over Joplin, and H85 high near Henryetta/Checotah. Expect highest temperatures today will be roughly Kingfisher-Stillwater-Bartlesville, where flow is westerly over a deeper layer.

[snowmanwx]

On OKC micronet, 88°F this morning for a low at Remington Park (Oklahoma City Zoo). I wonder how many days this week the City neighborhoods will hit 90°F.

In other news, unless the minimum temperature at KOKC drops < 74°F before midnight, today will mark the 20th consecutive day with a minimum temperature ≥74°F, which will set a new record.

[Calderon]

The all-time record high for OKC could be in jeopardy tomorrow with a forecast of 112, the record is 113.

Currently 104 at noon, a degree above yesterday.

[snowmanwx]

The overnight low last night was 90°F at Belle Isle neighborhood and at Quail Springs Mall. This does NOT end the streak of maximum temperatures ≥90°F, so keep voting! Will Rogers World Airport ASOS is located in a wide-open grassy field and so managed to drop to 81°F last night. It also looks like we set the records yesterday for maximum number of consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥95°F and ≥96°F.

Still, 31-day periods in 1934 and in 1936 were hotter at 1923 North Classen Boulevard than this July was at Will Rogers World Airport. But do not forget that KOKC often ranked as the coolest spot in central Oklahoma for two weeks of July and still set the record for hottest calendar month. If the next weeks prove as persistently hot as this week, we may start setting some serious heat records (like hottest 31-day period ever).

[tacoman25]

Thankfully, looks like some drought relief is on the way to parts of OK/KS over the next few days.

The GFS is much drier for OK, but absolutely soaks KS.

[brettjrob]

The GFS is much drier for OK, but absolutely soaks KS.

That would be much more in line with how things have gone for the past, oh, year or so.

After an epic fail yesterday in which KOKC stalled out at 109 F, while just about every primary ASOS in a 250-mile radius (DFW, Wichita Falls, Tulsa, Wichita, Topeka) made the 110s, we've been cold fronted this morning. The boundary currently cuts through the southeastern sections of the metro area, with the highest temperatures a couple counties out ahead of it. It may yet pull back some, but I think the 113 F all-time record is quite safe, at this point. The bigger question is whether we can tie or perhaps best our yearly max of 110 F from July 9. Even that seems unlikely at this point, but we'll see.

EDIT: Just looked at the 12z OUN sounding. The H85 temperature is about 2 C warmer than yesterday, and even a bit warmer than July 9. If the boundary can get shunted back north and we become well-mixed, I think 110-111 F is a good bet. Will probably see 113-114 F in places like Shawnee and Ada.

[natecast]

The 2:00 ob at Will Rogers has jumped to 107, setting the record for the date.

At 1:55PM, the Mesonet site at Eufaula was reading 114!

[tacoman25]

That would be much more in line with how things have gone for the past, oh, year or so.

The 18z NAM shifts the precip focus further south, with even more rain in OK/AR. We'll see if the GFS starts to move this direction, too.

[Calderon]

storms really starting to pop in the OKC metro area, the all-time record is 99% secure at this point I believe

[brettjrob]

storms really starting to pop in the OKC metro area, the all-time record is 99% secure at this point I believe

Intense, slow-moving storm about to plow over the airport in the next 15 minutes... deja vu. This will probably result in cooler highs for the remainder of this heat wave if it dumps an inch or two on them before dying out.

As of 4pm, the intrahour high has been 109 F, and I think that will stand as the daily high and the highest of this heat wave.

[natecast]

Intense, slow-moving storm about to plow over the airport in the next 15 minutes... deja vu. This will probably result in cooler highs for the remainder of this heat wave if it dumps an inch or two on them before dying out.

As of 4pm, the intrahour high has been 109 F, and I think that will stand as the daily high and the highest of this heat wave.

Ironically, if you look at the radar closely, the intense storm you're referring to dissipated as it was moving over the airport and re-generated to the north of the airport. My best guess is the airport records about 2 tenths of an inch of rain. Wouldn't have much of a lasting effect when compared to the 2 inch deluge a few weeks ago.

[tacoman25]

Ironically, if you look at the radar closely, the intense storm you're referring to dissipated as it was moving over the airport and re-generated to the north of the airport. My best guess is the airport records about 2 tenths of an inch of rain. Wouldn't have much of a lasting effect when compared to the 2 inch deluge a few weeks ago.

Yeah, looks like a lot of areas to the north/west of the airport are actually going to get more rain today.

And it's not like the airport was the ONLY place that got dumped on a few weeks ago.

[snowmanwx]

Check out this map (Oklahoma City micronet):

Notice the temperatures, dewpoints, and rainfall. At my abode, it's really humid right now; I live near the rainfall maximum today. But in southeast Oklahoma City, 100°F/58°F after no rain (at 6:40 PM when it actually reported; this station is the cross just west of Del City). A couple miles away 92°F/70°F after just .05 inch of rain. It's hard to say which feels worse. At Quail Springs Mall (far north side), no rain and still a daily minimum of 90.1°F.

[natecast]

Another day, another record high... :yawn:

High at KOKC of 108, breaking the record of 106 from 2008.

[natecast]

The 2PM ob at Will Rogers was 107, breaking the old record of 106 for the date. Record event report issued at 2:20, stating temperature has reached 108 and rising. SW downslope wind a contributing factor today. How high will she go?

109 at 3PM

[snowmanwx]

KOKC struck 110°F today.

That makes today the fourth consecutive day with high temperature ≥108°F, tying the record of 4 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥108°F, set 9-12 August 1936.

Today is also the fifth consecutive day with high temperature ≥107°F, tying the record of 5 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥107°F, set 9-13 August 1936 and 29 July-2 August 1980.

Today is also the fifth consecutive day with high temperature ≥106°F, tying the record of 5 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥106°F, set 9-13 August 1936 and 29 July-2 August 1980.

Today is also the sixth consecutive day with high temperature ≥105°F, tying the record of 6 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥105°F, set 8-13 August 1936.

Today is also the thirty-eighth consecutive day with high temperature ≥96°F, beating the previous record of 35 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥96°F, set 24 July-27 August 1980.

Today is also the thirty-eighth consecutive day with high temperature ≥95°F, beating the previous record of 35 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥96°F, set 24 July-27 August 1980.

Moreover, yesterday marked the twenty-third consecutive day with a minimum temperature ≥74°F at KOKC, beating the previous record of 19 days ≥74°F, set 24 June-12 July 1933 and 24 July-11 August 1935 (both at 1923 North Classen Boulevard, not Will Rogers World Airport). Unless the temperature drops <74°F before midnight, KOKC will extend this streak to 24 days today.

ALSO: The 31-day period ending yesterday averaged 90.1°F, beating 22 July-21 August 1934 (89.9°F) as the all-time record for hottest 31-day period [(max + min)÷2] ever. Assuming that the low temperature today does not fall below 65°F, KOKC will beat this record today. If tomorrow is hotter than 105°F/74°F, then this record will advance further.

[baroclinic_instability]

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=51617&src=twitter-nh

[snowmanwx]

Taking the day as 0Z-0Z and looking at global summary of the day (24 hourly observations most days since 1943, available until 3 August 2011):

2 August 2011 ranks as the hottest day at 94.3°F, beating 94.0°F on 6 July 1996.

1/2 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 2-day period at 93.8°F, beating 93.7°F on 6/7 July 1996.

1-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 3-day period at 93.5°F, beating 93.0°F on 19-21 July 2006.

28 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 7-day period at 91.8°F, beating 91.6°F on 24-30 July 1998.

27 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 8-day period at 91.9°F, beating 91.4°F on 23-30 July 1998.

26 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 9-day period at 91.6°F, beating 91.1°F on 22-30 July 1998.

25 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 10-day period at 91.1°F, beating 90.9°F on 21-30 July 1998.

24 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 11-day period at 91.2°F, beating 90.7°F on 20-30 July 1998.

23 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 12-day period at 91.0°F, beating 90.5°F on 19-30 July 1998.

22 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 13-day period at 90.8°F, beating 90.4°F on 2-14 August 1943.

21 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 14-day period at 90.7°F, beating 90.4°F on 2-15 August 1943.

20 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 15-day period at 90.5°F, beating 90.4°F on 2-16 August 1943.

19 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 16-day period at 90.4°F, beating 90.3°F on 1-16 August 1943.

18 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 17-day period at 90.3°F, beating 90.1°F on 31 July-16 August 1943.

17 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 18-day period at 90.3°F, beating 89.7°F on 30 July-16 August 1943.

16 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 19-day period at 90.4°F, beating 89.4°F on 29 July-16 August 1943.

15 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 20-day period at 90.4°F, beating 89.2°F on 28 July-16 August 1943.

14 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 21-day period at 90.2°F, beating 89.3°F on 22 July-11 August 1943.

13 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 22-day period at 89.9°F, beating 89.3°F on 21 July-11 August 1943.

12 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 23-day period at 89.7°F, beating 89.3°F on 20 July-11 August 1943.

10 July-2 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 24-day period at 89.8°F, beating 89.3°F on 22 July-14 August 1943.

10 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 25-day period at 89.9°F, beating 89.4°F on 21 July-14 August 1943.

9 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 26-day period at 90.0°F, beating 89.4°F on 22 July-16 August 1943.

8 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 27-day period at 90.0°F, beating 89.4°F on 21 July-16 August 1943.

7 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 28-day period at 90.0°F, beating 89.4°F on 20 July-16 August 1943.

6 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 29-day period at 90.0°F, beating 89.3°F on 19 July-16 August 1943.

5 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 30-day period at 89.9°F, beating 89.3°F on 18 July-16 August 1943.

4 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 31-day period at 89.9°F, beating 89.2°F on 17 July-16 August 1943.

3 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 32-day period at 89.8°F, beating 89.1°F on 16 July-16 August 1943.

2 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 33-day period at 89.7°F, beating 89.0°F on 15 July-16 August 1943.

1 July-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 34-day period at 89.7°F, beating 88.5°F on 15 July-17 August 1943.

30 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 35-day period at 89.6°F, beating 88.1°F on 15 July-18 August 1943.

29 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 36-day period at 89.6°F, beating 88.0°F on 13 July-17 August 2006.

28 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 37-day period at 89.4°F, beating 88.0°F on 13 July-18 August 2006.

27 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 38-day period at 89.5°F, beating 88.0°F on 13 July-19 August 2006.

26 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 39-day period at 89.4°F, beating 88.0°F on 13 July-20 August 2006.

25 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 40-day period at 89.4°F, beating 87.8°F on 13 July-21 August 2006.

24 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 41-day period at 89.4°F, beating 87.5°F on 13 July-22 August 2006.

23 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 42-day period at 89.2°F, beating 87.5°F on 17 July-27 August 1943.

22 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 43-day period at 89.1°F, beating 87.5°F on 16 July-27 August 1943.

21 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 44-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.5°F on 14 July-26 August 2006.

20 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 45-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.5°F on 13 July-26 August 2006.

19 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 46-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.3°F on 16 July-30 August 1943.

18 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 47-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.2°F on 16 July-31 August 1943.

17 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 48-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.2°F on 16 July-1 September 1943.

16 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 49-day period at 88.9°F, beating 87.1°F on 15 July-1 September 1943.

15 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 50-day period at 88.7°F, beating 86.9°F on 15 July-2 September 1943.

14 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 51-day period at 88.7°F, beating 86.8°F on 15 July-3 September 1943.

13 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 52-day period at 88.6°F, beating 86.6°F on 15 July-4 September 1943.

12 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 53-day period at 88.4°F, beating 86.5°F on 15 July-5 September 1943.

11 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 54-day period at 88.3°F, beating 86.5°F on 7 July-29 August 1998.

10 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 55-day period at 88.1°F, beating 86.5°F on 7 July-30 August 1998.

9 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 56-day period at 88.1°F, beating 86.5°F on 7 July-31 August 1998.

8 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 57-day period at 88.1°F, beating 86.4°F on 7 July-1 September 1998.

7 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 58-day period at 88.1°F, beating 86.4°F on 11 July-6 September 1998.

6 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 59-day period at 87.8°F, beating 86.5°F on 10 July-6 September 1998.

5 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 60-day period at 87.7°F, beating 86.5°F on 9 July-6 September 1998.

4 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 61-day period at 87.6°F, beating 86.5°F on 9 July-7 September 1998.

3 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 62-day period at 87.5°F, beating 86.6°F on 7 July-6 September 1998.

2 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 63-day period at 87.4°F, beating 86.6°F on 7 July-7 September 1998.

1 June-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 64-day period at 87.2°F, beating 86.6°F on 7 July-8 September 1998.

31 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 65-day period at 87.2°F, beating 86.5°F on 7 July-9 September 1998.

30 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 66-day period at 87.0°F, beating 86.3°F on 7 July-10 September 1998.

29 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 67-day period at 87.0°F, beating 86.2°F on 7 July-11 September 1998.

28 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 68-day period at 86.9°F, beating 86.1°F on 7 July-12 September 1998.

27 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 69-day period at 86.6°F, beating 85.9°F on 7 July-13 September 1998.

26 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 70-day period at 86.3°F, beating 85.8°F on 7 July-14 September 1998.

25 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 71-day period at 86.1°F, beating 85.7°F on 7 July-15 September 1998.

24 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 72-day period at 85.9°F, beating 85.5°F on 7 July-16 September 1998.

23 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 73-day period at 85.8°F, beating 85.5°F on 24 June-4 September 1954.

22 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 74-day period at 85.7°F, beating 85.5°F on 23 June-4 September 1954.

21 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 74-day period at 85.5°F, beating 85.4°F on 22 June-4 September 1954.

20 May-3 August 2011 ranks as the hottest 74-day period at 85.5°F, beating 85.4°F on 22 June-4 September 1954.

[dan11295]

Today makes 43 days of 100+ at KOKC. Record is 50. Current forecast calls for 100+ next 4 days then upper 90's.