September Slightly Cooler and Drier Than Normal

September was a fairly quiet month across southwestern Connecticut, although the month featured a wide range of temperatures and much of the last half of September was dry. The average daily temperature last month at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford was 65.2 degrees, which is exactly one degree below normal. More than two-and-a-half inches of rain (2.72") fell, which is well below the 3.48" normal for September.

Eighteen of the 30 days last month were cooler-than-normal, including eight of the last nine days. The warmest stretch of weather occurred from September 10th through the 12th when the high temperatures were 80, 90, and 85 degrees, respectively. However, the mercury didn't climb above 72 degrees over the last eight days of the month. The warmest temperature was 90 degrees on September 11th, and the coolest temperature was 44 degrees on September 24th for a 46-degree range.

There were only seven days with measured rain last month. Three of them, though, brought less than five-hundredths of an inch of rain. The two wettest days were September 12th (1.28") and September 22 (1.13"). Otherwise, the two remaining rainy days delivered less than a quarter-inch of rain. The last eight days of September were rain-free, and only two of the last 17 days saw any measured rain. Here is the climatological summary for last month. Please click to enlarge.

This year's weather has been nothing short of dramatic. We've experienced the second driest April on record, the second wettest June on record, the first-ever seven-day heat wave in July, and a cool August. The weather adversely affected the growing season, which was apparent at last week's Connecticut Giant Squash and Pumpkin Growers' Association's annual Weigh-Off in Ridgefield. However, the recent stretch of sunny days and cool nights should provide for splendid Autumn foliage viewing across the Northeast.

Our stretch of fair weather continues today with sunshine mixing with high-level clouds and a high temperature in the mid 70s. Tonight will become mostly cloudy and mild with patchy fog and a low near 60. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a possible shower and a high in the lower 70s. The weekend will be partly sunny and humid with daytime highs holding close to 75 degrees. Much-needed rain arrives early next week.

Paul