Hot Streak Continues Into June

It's a given that this month will be warmer than normal. The average temperature for May in southwestern Connecticut through yesterday is 62.3 degrees. That's 3.5 degrees above normal. With just two days left this month, there's no question this will be the 15th straight month with above-normal temperatures. That's quite a streak. There's no telling when this "hot" streak will eventually come to a close.

The last time the average monthly temperature was below normal happened in February of 2011. The average temperature that month was 31.1 degrees, which was less than one degree (-0.8) below normal. The warmest stretch happened from December through March when the average monthly temperature was more than five degrees above normal each month. In fact, this past March was the warmest on record in the region.

Take a look at the following chart, which shows the average monthly temperature as compared to the normal value for each month.

Month/Avg. Temp./Normal Temp./Departure

• May 2012     62.3     58.8     +3.5 
• April 2012      52.9     49.3     +3.6
• March 2012     47.1     39.3     +7.8
• February 2012     37.8     31.9     +5.9
• January 2012     35.7     30.1     +5.6
• December 2011     41.1     35.4     +5.7
• November 2011     49.8     45.5     +4.3
• October 2012     57.0     54.9     +2.1
• September 2011     70.1     66.2     +3.9
• August 2011     74.8     73.3     +1.5
• July 2011     77.6     74.0     +3.6
• June 2011     69.5     68.0     +1.5
• May 2011     61.1     59.0     +2.1
• April 2011     50.4     48.9     +1.5
• March 2011     39.7     39.5     +0.2
• February 2011     31.1     31.9     -0.8

Today will be another warm day with temperatures climbing into the lower 80s inland and upper 70s along the shoreline. There is a threat of a few showers this morning and later this evening. However, the humidity will be gone late tonight as  drier air arrives from the North and West. Fair weather should continue through Friday before rain moves in Saturday.

Paul