Weather Spotlight: May, 1962

We have all been (smiling) (cheering) (relieved) (celebrating) (very happy) (throwing street parties) because of our nice 2009 rain status. Most areas of the state are in good shape so far and we are trying to put the long drought story behind us.

However, caution is advised. Mind you, we are not saying that we will drift back into drought country this year. We simply don’t know.

But it is getting that time of year when it can quickly turn very dry and very hot. We look at the official Birmingham records for May, 1962 as an example:

* It was 97 degrees on this date (May 20) in 1962, which was 15 degrees hotter than average.

* A major heat wave set in during the second week of that month and lasted for the rest of the month.

* The temperature exceeded 90 degrees for 24 days in a row.

* 15 days had highs of 95 or above. We consider (at least I do) this to be unacceptable.

* It was 99 degrees on the 28th.

* A small shower gave us 0.04 rain on May 1 (barely enough to wet the sidewalk) Not a drop of additional rain for 28 more days.

* The heat wave continued into June.

* I know this is a gloomy sounding update, but just wanted to remind you of what COULD happen.

Still another reason that we should be (enjoying) (thankful) for recent days. For me, yesterday was the PC (Perfect Climate)

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