Summer Doldrums Already
Boy looking at the weather maps this AM and it is not too exciting. Aside from a weak front sometime later WED or THU to deal with, there is not a lot going on aside from the heat and the wind that will be with us for the next few days. Aside from minor fluctuations in the highs through the week…it is rather boring and at the same time interesting to me because what typically happens in the July through mid August period is happening now.
I opened my gas bill the other day and since we have budget billing the reductions are a bit slower to compensate for the higher amount of gas we use in the cold season. I wish I could remember how much our bill was about 1-2 years ago, but there is NO doubt it has really come down due to the drop in natural gas prices. Normally this would make me ecstatic but since, if you remember I killed off my yard and replanted the grass last fall (just in time for the fall drought that it) I have to be extra careful with the watering this season, so my savings are going into the water bill to keep the new grass alive. 
Mother Nature may again try to create at least some rain in the region WED Night into THU, odds favor N MO and NE KS with better rainfall than areas farther south of the metro but at least there will be a front in the vicinity. It would last long and IF it makes it through will quickly retreat/fall apart on FRI allowing the same heat to rebuild into the early part of the weekend. That game Saturday @ the K with the Cardinals in town may be a real scorcher!
Here is a look at the 5K temperatures off the GFS model for later in the week. The searing heat actually backs off a bit and moves towards the Rockies for a couple of days as denoted by the darker red/purple colors.
This map goes from WED to early FRI. It’s going to be nasty hot across the SW part of the country as well where record highs are possible in the Deserts of CA/AZ/NV over the next few days. Phoenix has been above 100° every day this month and their June temperatures are running almost 2° above average. Excessive Heat Watches/Warnings are in effect for that area through later Thursday.
Here are some of the records tied or broken out west yesterday.
Rawlins WY 87F tied 2001
Laramie WY 87F
Alamosa CO 89F
Craig CO 92F
Colorado Springs CO 95F
Denver CO 98F
Alliance NE 100F
Reno NV 100F tied 1940
Chadron NE 101F tied 2007
Sidney NE 104F
Fresno CA 109F
That’s about it for today…stay cool and remember to also stay hydrated. Don’t forget about the little ones and the 4-legged ones as well. Make sure they have a lot of shade and water for the next few days.
Joe
