Goose Lake Weather Blog

August 2010 Climate Summary:

Average temperature     = 75.4°F
 Average humidity        = 83%
 Average dewpoint        = 69.1°F
 Average barometer       = 29.936 in.
 Average windspeed       = 1.0 mph
 Average gustspeed       = 2.6 mph
 Average direction       = 236° ( SW)
 Rainfall for month      = 3.35 in.
  Maximum rain per minute = 0.110 in on day 13 at time 19:43
 Maximum temperature     = 94.0°F on day 29 at time 15:30
 Minimum temperature     = 53.2°F on day 26 at time 06:43
 Maximum humidity        = 100% on day 24 at time 08:15
 Minimum humidity        = 34% on day 28 at time 14:37
 Maximum dewpoint        = 82.8°F on day 10 at time 16:50
 Minimum dewpoint        = 52.1°F on day 26 at time 6:43
 Maximum pressure        = 30.21 in. on day 26 at time 10:39
 Minimum pressure        = 29.68 in. on day 13 at time 19:23
 Maximum windspeed       = 17.3 mph from 293°(WNW) on day 04 at time 06:12
 Maximum gust speed      = 34.5 mph from 293°(WNW) on day 04 at time 06:11
 Maximum heat index      = 115.1°F on day 10 at time 16:07
 Avg daily max temp :86.6°F
 Avg daily min temp :65.1°F
 Total windrun = 732.9miles

The warm and dry weather has begun to dry out our soil profile down to at least 12 inches according to our soil moisture sensors. This was recently verified when I attempted to dig a post hole! Although some areas of northern Illinois experienced torrential rains this summer, we’ve been near normal and with the recent dry spell, slightly below normal. This is reflected in the streamflows on nearby watersheds. Take a look at the following flow duration hydrographs for two nearby locations — Mazon River near Coal City and Kankakee River near Wilmington, IL. The black trace on the graphs indicate that flows are currently in the lower percentiles. It should be noted that we are approaching the time of year when streams typically experience their lowest flows. The following flow duration hydrographs are courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Despite some areas of northern Illinois experiencing record rains and subsequent flooding, our station recorded near normal rainfall of 3.79 inches. We’ll gladly take a near normal rain to a flooded basement.

Some climate highlights include:

 Average temperature     = 76.4°F
 Average humidity        = 83%
 Average dewpoint        = 70.4°F
 Average barometer       = 29.937 in.
 Average windspeed       = 1.3 mph
 Average gustspeed       = 3.2 mph
 Average direction       = 215° ( SW)
 Rainfall for month      = 3.79 in.
 Maximum rain per minute = 0.190 in on day 06 at time 17:34
 Maximum temperature     = 92.3°F on day 23 at time 16:15
 Minimum temperature     = 49.7°F on day 01 at time 05:43
 Maximum humidity        = 100% on day 26 at time 08:08
 Minimum humidity        = 45% on day 02 at time 17:02
 Maximum dewpoint        = 83.0°F on day 28 at time 13:52
 Minimum dewpoint        = 48.6°F on day 01 at time 5:43
 Maximum pressure        = 30.36 in. on day 01 at time 07:39
 Minimum pressure        = 29.67 in. on day 11 at time 20:33
 Maximum windspeed       = 12.7 mph from 293°(WNW) on day 23 at time 18:00
 Maximum gust speed      = 25.3 mph from 315°( NW) on day 23 at time 17:54
 Maximum heat index      = 114.9°F on day 23 at time 15:03
 Avg daily max temp :86.8°F
 Avg daily min temp :65.7°F
 Total windrun = 951.1miles

Goose Lake Weather sends data to the Midwestern Weather Network that is composed of weather stations from various locations around the Midwest. There are many such networks worldwide comprised of weather hobbyists with home weather stations similar to ours.

Check out the new Google Global Map of Affiliated Weather Networks.

With heat index values in the 100′s, be sure and follow some of the important safety measures found here.

Don’t forget your pets! Learn how to keep them cool and happy here.

June was an active weather month with several waves of strong to severe storms. Thunder was recorded on 14 of 30 days. Total rainfall was 6.43 inches. In comparison, June of 2009 saw 5.17 inches of rain.  It should be noted that many other locations around the area experienced greater rainfall amounts.

Here are some stats from June:

Averages\Extremes for the month of June 2010

———————————————————————————————
Average temperature     = 72.4°F
Average humidity        = 84%
Average dewpoint        = 66.8°F
Average barometer       = 29.892 in.
Average windspeed       = 1.8 mph
Average gustspeed       = 3.8 mph
Average direction       = 201° (SSW)
Rainfall for month      = 6.43  inches
Maximum rain per minute = 0.100 in on day 12 at time 15:41
Maximum temperature     = 90.5°F on day 18 at time 14:45
Minimum temperature     = 51.4°F on day 30 at time 05:46
Maximum humidity        = 100% on day 23 at time 12:04
Minimum humidity        = 44% on day 09 at time 19:12
Maximum dewpoint        = 82.5°F on day 23 at time 17:30
Minimum dewpoint        = 47.5°F on day 03 at time 22:18
Maximum pressure        = 30.29 in. on day 30 at time 23:54
Minimum pressure        = 29.50 in. on day 05 at time 21:10
Maximum windspeed       = 20.7 mph from 293°(WNW) on day 23 at time 18:25
Maximum gust speed      = 34.5 mph from 315°( NW) on day 18 at time 21:38
Maximum heat index      = 108.6°F on day 23 at time 17:30
Avg daily max temp :82.4°F
Avg daily min temp :62.6°F

Enjoy a rain-free week with sunny skies and lower humidities.  A nice change from recent warm, muggy, and stormy conditions.

Courtesy NOAA/Mr. Shane Lear

Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 20-26, 2010. Lightning is the second greatest cause of storm-related deaths in the U.S., killing more than tornadoes or hurricanes.  Lightning also inflicts life-long debilitating injuries on many more than it kills.

NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS SAFE NEAR A THUNDERSTORM!

Go inside if you hear thunder, but keep away from corded telephones, electrical appliances, and plumbing.  The second safest place is a vehicle with a metal roof and metal sides.

Learn much more about lightning and lightning safety at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Here’s an image of a distant cumulonimbus cloud (thunderstorm) to our southeast.  A CoCoRaHS observer in Kankakee county had reported 0.30 inch of rain in ten minutes. Also shown is the radar image of the same storm located southeast of Kankakee, IL.

Same storm located southeast of Kankakee, IL