Ticker for July 26, 2011

                
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100-degree streaks in perspective

No streaking here (you're welcome), just the COLD hard facts. Yes, it pays to
think cold. Mesonet super-duper computerizer Nathan Bain scoured the historical
NWS COOP and current Mesonet data to try and put these 100-degree streaks and
accumulating days in perspective historically.

Here are several Top-(x) lists for Mesonet and COOP data. The 100-degree days
and streaks for 2011 COOP data are not included since it takes a few months for
that data set to be finalized. Mesonet temperature data dates back to the 1997
and COOP data goes back to the late 1880s.

Historical 100-degree days in a year
1: HOLLIS               - 86 days in 1956
2: BLACKWELL            - 86 days in 1956
3: HEALDTON             - 83 days in 1980
4: WALTERS (Mesonet)    - 83 days in 1998
5: CHATTANOOGA          - 82 days in 1998
6: WOODWARD             - 81 days in 1896
7: HOLLIS               - 81 days in 1952
8: HOLLIS               - 81 days in 1939
9: FREDERICK            - 81 days in 1954
10: CHATTANOOGA         - 79 days in 1980
(note: Temperature data wa missing for Blackwell on 9/6/1956 but nearby
stations show it would not have been a 100-degree day)

2011 100-degree days in a year (Mesonet only)
1: GRANDFIELD           - 62
2: ALTUS                - 60
3: HOLLIS               - 57
4: TIPTON               - 54
5: MANGUM               - 51
6: ERICK                - 50
7: WALTERS              - 49
8: BESSIE               - 46
9: BUTLER               - 46
10: RETROP              - 46

Historical consecutive 100-degree days in a year
1: HAMMON               - 70 days (1980-06-24 - 1980-09-01)
2: FREDERICK            - 52 days (1934-07-03 - 1934-08-23)
3: WAUKOMIS             - 45 days (1934-07-08 - 1934-08-21)
4: WALTERS              - 45 days (1980-06-23 - 1980-08-06)
5: PAULS VALLEY         - 45 days (1934-07-08 - 1934-08-21)
6: HENNESSEY            - 45 days (1934-07-08 - 1934-08-21)
7: TISHOMINGO           - 44 days (1934-07-10 - 1934-08-22)
8: DURANT               - 44 days (1934-07-12 - 1934-08-24)
9: WEBBERS FALLS        - 43 days (1934-07-10 - 1934-08-21)
10: WOODWARD             - 42 days (1896-07-21 - 1896-08-31)

2011 Consecutive 100-degree days in a year (Mesonet only)
1: WALTERS              - 34 days (2011-06-22 - 2011-07-25)
1: HOLLIS               - 34 days (2011-06-22 - 2011-07-25)
1: GRANDFIELD           - 34 days (2011-06-22 - 2011-07-25)
1: ALTUS                - 34 days (2011-06-22 - 2011-07-25)
1: TIPTON               - 34 days (2011-06-22 - 2011-07-25)
6: WAURIKA              - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: RETROP               - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: NINNEKAH             - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: MEDICINE PARK        - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: MANGUM               - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: KETCHUM RANCH        - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: HOBART               - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
6: ACME                 - 33 days (2011-06-23 - 2011-07-25)
14: RINGLING            - 30 days (2011-06-26 - 2011-07-25)
15: TISHOMINGO          - 29 days (2011-06-27 - 2011-07-25)
15: PAULS VALLEY        - 29 days (2011-06-27 - 2011-07-25)
15: NEWPORT             - 29 days (2011-06-27 - 2011-07-25)
18: DURANT              - 28 days (2011-06-28 - 2011-07-25)

So as of July 25, 2011 still have a way to go to start cracking the various
lists. Hammon's streak of 70 consecutive 100-degree days in 1980 would appear
to be Lou Gehrig-esque with several Cal Ripken Jr. candidates lurking in
southwestern Oklahoma.

If a station was going to have a chance to go another 37 days to snap that one,
I'd bet on Grandfield. Hammon's streak started on June 24 and the current crop
of contenders were called up to the bigs on June 22. It very well could be a
race to the finish through August if significant rains don't arrive before then.
Or, as we saw the last couple of days, it could be something as simple as a
nice outflow boundary that pulls somebody out of the lineup.

Kenton and Foraker will play the part of the Cubs. They're bringing up the rear
with 10 days above 100 degrees this year. Sorry Cubs fans. Really REALLY sorry.

http://www.mesonet.org/index.php/weather/map/days_with_highs_above_100f/air_temperature
http://www.mesonet.org/index.php/weather/map/consecutive_days_above_100f/air_temperature

Gary McManus
Associate State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org