Wednesday, July 4, 2012
GRAVETTE — There is little or no debate that northwest Arkansas has experienced a very unusual and uncomfortable month of June this year.
The month just ended was dry ... and hot. It was a “scorcher.” But was it a record setter?
How many of the following statements do you think are true?
The hottest day ever recorded in the month of June occurred this year.
June, 2012, recorded the least amount of rainfall of any on record.
There were more 100 degree days in June this year than any of the past 80 years.
Hay crops fared worse this June than in any previous year.
The month really was a scorcher.
Surprisingly, only number 5 is true. It was a scorcher. But checking records from the NOAA weather station in Gravette reveals this June was not a record setter.
The hottest June day recorded in Gravette was not the 105 degrees on June 28 this year but rather the 106 degrees which registered here June 23, 1936. Lastyear the hottest day was 100 degrees on June 30.
June this year was relatively “wet” compared to several years. 1953 was the driest June with only .70 inches of moisture recorded, followed by .78 in 1991 and .98 in both 1936 and 1952. Even last year, 2011, was drier when a scant 1.73 was recorded at the local station. On the average, the area receives 5.18 inches of rain in June, themost being 16.04 inches in 1935 and more than 10 inches in June of 1951 and 1957.
There were six 100 degree days in June this year, the hottest being 105 degrees on June 28. But 1953 had ten 100 degree days, 1933 recorded seven and 1954 tied with six. Only nine Junes recorded highs of 100 degrees and above.In contrast the lowest June day was a chilly 41 degrees on June 3, 1949. Several years saw temperatures in the 40s. During the years from 1938 through 1987 there were no 100 degree days recorded during the entire month of June.
Hay crops have suffered this year, but this June was not an exception. Records kept by weather observers Max Schmidt, Julius Schmidt and Elson Schmidt from 1934 through 1958 made numerous references to “drought conditions,” “hay crops damaged” and “water shortages.” Glenn Justice, who was observer from 1959 through 1977,also made note of drought conditions affecting hay crops and livestock stress.
A notation in 1988 observed, “Extreme drought. Worst in over 30 years” and similar notations in 1995 and even last year, 2011, were recorded.
A.F. Stevens, whose local records date from 1926 through 1933, did not mention drought conditions in June. His station was located just off Virden Lane, just south on Mt. Olive Road. During the 24 years, 1934-1958, the Schmidt family kept records, thestation was located near where Marion Harris, DVM, resides. Glenn Justice, who lived at Birmingham and Third SE, kept records from 1959-1977. Dodie Evans has operated the station at 604 Detroit Street NE since that time.
News, Pages 1 on 07/04/2012