Taking a Look at August by the Numbers

Tropical Storm Irene was the top weather story in southwestern Connecticut last month and that, not surprisingly, helped make August much wetter and warmer than normal. In fact, more than nine-and-a-half inches of rain fell during the month, which was nearly a half-foot above normal.

There were 12 days with measured rain last month, including 2.75" August 14 and 2.50" August 28, during Tropical Storm Irene. More than two inches of rain (2.17") fell over a two-day period on August 14 and 15, and the two-day total of 3.35" from August 27 and 28 capped four successive days of measured rain.

The average daily temperature in August was 74.8 degrees, one-and-a-half degrees above normal. The hottest temperature recorded last month was 92 degrees on August 2. The mercury also reached 90 degrees August 8. All but 11 days last month featured an average temperature at or above normal.

Tropical Storm Irene dropped the barometric pressure to 28.57" the morning of August 28. The peak wind gust was 63 miles an hour at daybreak last Sunday at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. Three-to-nine inches of rain fell across much of the region during the storm. Linda of Norwalk sent this photo during the tropical storm.

The holiday weekend won't be a washout, but it won't be perfect, either. We'll see partly sunny skies with increasing humidity tomorrow. There is a slight chance of an isolated shower tomorrow afternoon. Sunday will be partly sunny and warm with a shower or thunderstorm with a high in the lower 80s. The best chance of showers and thunderstorms is Monday with a high near 80.

Have a great holiday weekend.

Paul