Ticker for August 3, 2011

                
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
August 3, 2011     August 3, 2011     August 3, 2011     August 3, 2011


The Panhandle is where it's at

I don't know how many more times I have to tell you folks this ... the Oklahoma
Panhandle is the greatest place on earth. Don't believe me? Check out the latest
high temperature map from the Oklahoma Mesonet.



Pay no attention to the 113s over in eastern Oklahoma. You don't need to see
those readings. Those aren't the readings you're looking for. You can go about
your business. Move along. Take a look at Boise City in the Panhandle. Now it
could still go up, but at least through 2:20pm, I wanted you to see a high
temperature of only 81 degrees.

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July records pile up

From the National Climatic Data Center: 174 high temperature records were either
tied or broken across Oklahoma. These records are based on the historical daily
observations archived in NCDC's Cooperative Summary of the Day data set and
preliminary reports from Cooperative Observers and First Order National Weather
Service stations, and as such are subject to change. All stations have a Period
of Record of at least 30 years.

Here are a few of the top record-breakers from July 2011:
Atoka -- 12
Ft. Gibson -- 11
Altus -- 10
Blanchard -- 10
Tulsa -- 8
Tuskahoma -- 7

Nationally, there were 2755 high temperature records broken or tied during July.
There were many more high minimum temperature records that were tied or fell as
well.

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August 2, 2011, the second-hottest day in Oklahoma history. As measured by the
Oklahoma Mesonet, the statewide average temperature yesterday was 94.6 degrees.
Comparing that to the historical COOP and past Mesonet data, that puts yesterday
right behind August 12, 1936, which had a statewide average temperature of 94.9
degrees. Again, this is all the highs and lows in the state averaged together.

Here's a top-12 (don't see the pattern ... I dare ya!).

1936/08/12:   94.9 degrees
2011/08/02:   94.6 degrees
1936/08/11:   94.2 degrees
1936/07/19:   94.0 degrees
1936/08/10:   94.0 degrees
1936/08/09:   93.9 degrees
1936/08/13:   93.8 degrees
1954/07/14:   93.8 degrees
1934/08/01:   93.7 degrees
1934/08/12:   93.6 degrees
1936/07/18:   93.4 degrees
2011/07/27:   93.2 degrees
2011/08/01:   92.7 degrees

1936, 1954, 1934 ... for the 10th time, 2011 is in bad company.

Even Jedi mind tricks won't work anymore. It's hot!

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