Ticker for August 29, 2011

                
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August 29, 2011    August 29, 2011    August 29, 2011    August 29, 2011


Villainy from the south

As my faithful Ticker reader (yeah, hi Mom!) knows by now, I've been bragging
on Oklahoma's chances to beat the all-time summer (climatological summer runs
from June 1-August 31) heat record for the entire United States. Here's that
top-10 list again for the highest statewide average summer temperatures since
records began in 1895. We already hold the top three spots.

State           Year      Avg. Temp
Oklahoma	1934	    85.2
Oklahoma	1936	    84.4
Oklahoma	1980	    84.3
Louisiana	1998	    84.3
Texas	        1980	    84.3
Texas	        1998	    84.3
Oklahoma	1954        84.2
Texas	        1934	    84.2
Louisiana	2010        84.1
Arkansas	1934	    83.5
Texas           1918        83.5

According to Oklahoma Mesonet data, our statewide average temperature through
August 28 is 86.7 degrees. So yes, we will not only break the record, we will
ANNIHILATE it. It is inevitable.

Okay, now here's the deal. As it turns out, Oklahoma is not the only state that
experiencing record temperatures this year. From my calculations of preliminary
data, Texas is also in line to destroy that same record. The big question is ...
will they top our record-breaking summer temperature?

By my calculations, they very well could. By my very very preliminary
calculations, Texas' statewide average through Sunday was 87 degrees.  August
is the kicker.

June       July     August   Prelim. Summer Average
Oklahoma    83.5       89.1      87.5            86.7
Texas       85.2       87.1      88.6            87.0

Remember once again, the August numbers are still very preliminary, but one
thing is very certain ... both states are going to top the previous record
for hottest summer since 1895.

Always have to be bigger, don't ya Texas? That's okay, we still have the
monthly record for another year at least.

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