July 2015 was perfect for spending time outdoors and enjoying the many activities we look foreward to in the summer. Generally, temperatures were close to or slightly above seasonal on most days, but consistently high humidity made it feel hotter. This high humidity helped fuel an active month for thunderstorms and heavy rains across southern Manitoba.
The average mean temperature at Winnipeg airport was 20.2°C in July, slightly above normal (+0.6°C) and the warmest since 2012. Despite being above normal, only 2 days exceeded 30°C at Winnipeg airport. The 1981-2010 normal is 5 days. In fact, the first 30°C day of the year wasn't until July 26, the second latest on record since 1872.
Top 5 latest dates to reach 30°C for the first time in a year
1. Aug 16 (2008)
2. Jul 26 (2015)
3. Jul 24 (1882, 1927)
5. Jul 19 (1920)
The lack of 30°C days at the airport was a little surprising and masked the fact that it was a hot July. Most locations around the city were hotter. Charleswood recorded 10 days over 30°C. The humidity was the main story of July. 14 days saw a dewpoint over 20°C at Winnipeg airport, tying with 1957 for the most in July since 1953. The 1981-2010 normal is 6 days. In addition, the average hourly dewpoint observation was 16.1°C, the second highest in July since 1953. The 1981-2010 normal is 14.2°C.
Top 5 most humid Julys since 1953 (according to average hourly dewpoint observation)
1. 16.5°C (2012)
2. 16.1°C (2015)
3. 15.5°C (1966, 1989)
5. 15.4°C (1955, 1983, 2007, 2010)
Top 6 most 20°C dewpoint days in July since 1953
1. 14 days (1957, 2015)
3. 12 days (1955, 2001, 2005)
6. 11 days (1966)
The dewpoint peaked at 24.1°C on July 12, breaking the old record of 23.9°C in 1955 for the day. This occurred during an 8-day streak with maximum dewpoints over 20°C. Two other maximum dewpoint records were broken during the month (22.5°C on July 27 and 22.4°C on July 28).
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| Dark as night during a t-storm near 7 pm July 4 in Wpg |
Another memorable event was the July 27 southwestern Manitoba tornado event. Full summary of the event is on A Weather Moment.
By the way, an additional statistic on dewpoints in July:
ReplyDeleteThere were 100 hours at the airport in July where the dewpoint observation 20.0°C and above. This is the 6th most since 1953. Most was 120 hours of 20.0°C+ dewpoints in July 2001.
Jj Did the smoke that we were blanketed in Have any effect on keeping our temp below 30 and or the humidity high?
ReplyDeleteHi Don. My apologies, for some reason I only just saw this comment as it did not show up in my notifications.
DeleteI'm not sure what kept the airport from hitting 30°C. The remainder of the city had no problem hitting 30°C. The smoke certainly kept our days early month a little cooler than they could have been, but the smoke only lasted a week or so.
Unusually high humidity moving into southern Manitoba for Wednesday and Thursday this week.... Could be getting close to some all-time high dewpoints for September. Some models bringing in dewpoints of 22-24°C on Thursday. Winnipeg's all-time high dewpoint in September is 23.4°C on September 2, 1983. Cold front moves into southwestern Manitoba late in the day, but capping is expected to be very strong. Anything that develops could become severe in a hurry with favourable shear and instability. We will need some cooling aloft late day for anything surface-based to develop.
ReplyDeleteAugust and summer summaries will come eventually, either this weekend or next week. Haven`t been able to keep up with them this week.
ReplyDeleteDewpoint reached 23.1°C and humidex reached 42 at the airport today, both second highest on record for September. Interesting how Septembers have become increasingly humid here with 3 consecutive years seeing unusually high humidity. We had the latest humidex over 40 on record in 2013, the latest humidex over 35 last year and now today's second most humid day on record for September.