Virginia:
Annandale
- Lowell notes: "
August was very humid, cloudier, warmer and wetter than average with
14 days with measurable rain and thunder. In my recollection, at this
station we have never had so many days with thunder in the month of
August in the past twenty-three years. August's mean average temperature
was (76.7°) that was only a +1.3° departure but was still the highest
positive departure for the year as only two months have had positive
departures. The 3.98" of rain for August was a +0.65 inch departure.
The high humidity and high dew point temperatures made August feel
warmer than it really was. August had 14 days with measurable rain
that tied the 23-year record set in 1990 for most days with precipitation
in August.
August had only 2 days with 90° or above temperatures and last year
August had 15 days. The total of equal to or greater than 90° is only
a total of 14 days for 2003, so far the least since 1992, when 12
days occurred for the year. Last year we had a record 50 days. The
highest temperature for the year here so far is only 94° on July 5th.
This is the lowest maximum for the year since 1989 when 94° also
occurred and is also the first time since 1989 we have gone without a
95° day.
The 0.32" of rain that occurred in five minutes on August the 26th
was the third most intense five-minute rain ever recorded in August.
The August record is 0.39" on 8-28-1992 occurring in five minutes.
(Rain intensity records since 1991) The 1.05" in one hour on the
26th was the second most intense rain in an hour for August.
The record is 1.30" on 8-11-1994. August was the cloudiest in 22
years of records (no sky record for 1986). August's average sky
cover makes it normally the second clearest month of the year.
August's average temperature range was only 15.1° the least in the
last 23-years due to all of the cloudy and humid conditions of this
August.
The maximum wind gust of 28 mph from the west occurred on the
26th at 1139 preceding a thunderstorm from 1145 to noon.
The average temperature for the summer season of June,
July, and August was 74.9° for a -0.7° departure.
But the summer was the second wettest in the last
23 years with a total of 16.55" for the season.
The 23- year record is 17.19".
There were only 8 daily records set in August (23-Years of records):
2 daily HIGH minimum records: 2, 22;
4 daily LOW range temperature records: 1, 2, 3, 4;
2 daily HIGH precipitation records: 26, 27.
"
[ + + ]
Arlington
- NWS WBC reports:
"
No new records were set during August in Washington. The month once again
featured above normal rainfall totals. This marks the 4th month in a row
with above average precipitation in the nation's capital. The only month in
2003 so far that has featured below normal precip was April. The last month
prior to that with below normal rainfall in Washington was September 2002.
Total rainfall in 2003 at DCA through August is 41.48". This is 15.22" above
normal. The normal rainfall for the entire year in Washington is 39.35" 14 days
had measurable rainfall in August. The longest dry period in August was from the
18th to the 25th. No measureable rain was recorded at the airport during that
time. The highest wind gust reported at DCA was 47 mph on the 27th.
The average wind speed was 7 mph.
" [ + + ]
Blacksburg
- NWS Blacksburg reports the monthly mean temp was 3.1° above normal
while rainfall was 1.38" below normal. The average wind speed was 2.5
MPH. [ + - ]
Bridgewater
- "
The average temperature was 3.0° above normal, and the
precipitation was .64" above normal. The yearly total now is 10.91"
above normal.
The last part of August was rather dry. Only .28" of
precipitation fell during the last 15 days. Bridgewater didn't get the
heavy rains that fell in nearby places. So far this year , we have had 21
rainy spells with lightning, but so far we have not had a strong
thunderstorm. This is hard to believe!
" - report from Clayton [ + + ]
Centreville
- "
The overall temperature for August tended to be on the warm side. Our
average daily high was the exception however, coming in at 84.9°, or 0.6°
chilling degrees under the expected 85.5°. It was the overall daily average
and the average low for the month that caused brows to break out in a sweat
for no apparent reason. The daily average managed a reading of 76.4° or 3.1°°
more than the 73.3° the books suggested. With precipitation of some sort
being observed almost every day during the first three weeks of the month,
it was no wonder that all the average highs and average lows were entered
in our log book during the same period as well. Our scribe recorded 67.9°
or 6.8° above the 61.1° normal average low nightly temperature for the
month which was the third highest difference for the year next to March
and April. The extreme temperatures of 92° and 57° all happened during the
last eight days of August but were not excessive enough to break any
standing records.
The typical dreary weather of Seattle, Washington nearly had to take a
backseat to Centreville when 14 days of the first three weeks were
recorded as rainy. Six more days with precipitation during the last
10 days rounded out our total to 20 with 0.01" or more. Our greatest
amount in one day happened on August 16th when 1.97" fell in a little
over eight hours. Until then though, drips and drabs had only amounted
to about two-thirds of a liquid inch. That rainfall of nearly two inches
amounted to 41% of our monthly total, but couple that with 0.64" the
following day and you come to realize that well over half of our monthly
rainfall fell within 24 hours. Except for a brief accumulation of 0.29"
on the 22nd, a welcome drying out period of eight days ensued.
For the year, we remain a healthy fifteen-plus inches over the average
yearly amount of 27.99 inches.
" - notes from Paul [ - + ]
Charlottesville
- The monthly average temperature was 0.3° above normal while rainfall
was 0.57" above normal. The average wind speed was 2.9 mph. - from NWS WBC
[ + + ]
Danville
- The average station sea-level pressure was 30.03"
[ M M ]
Dulles
- The mean temp was 1.8° above normal. The monthly rainfall was 1.79"
above normal. Average wind speed, 4.3 mph. - from NWS WBC [ + + ]
Falls Church - "
August 2003 was .8° warmer than July. The month overall was slightly
cooler than average and wetter than average. We had 10 days this month
that brought thunderstorms. The most severe being on the 26th. The storms
around 11am that day produced a wind gust of 62 mph! We had some broken
limbs as a result. The storms later that day around 4pm produced
pea-sized hail. The sky turned almost pitch black and the winds were
howling but the gusts around that time did not come close to the earlier
62 mph one.
" - notes from Erica [ - + ]
Herndon
- Russ sends these note:"
The monthly temperature was 0.5° above average
and precipitation was 4.59" above average. Thunderstorms
rumbled through on the 5th, 16-17th, 22nd and the 26-30th.
We had hail in the storm on the 26th. A new daily rainfall
record was set on the 13th (2.35") and the 16th (1.37").
" - [ + + ]
Herndon
- Bob reports: "
My average max temp was 2° below the Dulles "normal"
but the average min was 5.3° above.
Total precip was only 0.22" below the Dulles "normal".
Another barometrically dull month. Precip was becoming deficient
after mid-month but recovered with the thundershowers of the 26th.
Dulles is about 4 miles WSW and its normal is the 1971-2000 average.
" - [ + - ]
Hampton
- "
VERY WET SUMMER CONTINUES WITH 10.20" OF RAIN AND A RETURN TO HOT, HUMID
WEATHER FROM MID TO THE END OF THE MONTH.
"
- notes from Dave [ - + ]
Herndon
- "
The monthly temperature was 2.2° below average,
precipitation was 7.23" above average. We received a
record 5.18" of rain on the 19th, which fell overnight
in a 3-hour period.
We had thunder on the 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 19th,
and 27th. The numbers speak for themselves. June was
even wetter than May! We had numerous flood and flash
flood watches and warnings."
- notes from Russ [ - + ]
Lynchburg
- Rainfall for the month was 0.15" above normal while the mean temp was
1.4° above normal. The average wind speed was 3.1 MPH.
The average sea level pressure was 30.05".
- from NWS Blacksburg
[ - + ]
Norfolk
- NWS AKQ noted the average temperature in Norfolk was 2.9° above normal.
The month's rainfall was 1.29" above normal. The average wind speed was 7.9 mph.
The average relative humidity and sky cover were 76% and 40% respectively."
- [ + + ]
Norfolk
- The Fred Heutte Center, in Historic
Ghent, noted a mean barometer reading of 30.065". The mean relative humidity
was 86%. The average wind speed was 3 mph from a dominant NNE direction.
Portsmouth
-
Slightly above normal temps this August with normal daily highs and warmer than
normal low temps. Rainfall was just above normal, by a fifth of an inch. The first
half of the month continued the excessive rainfall of the summer but the latter
half was dry. Winds
were rather light with a monthly average of 1.6 mph from a dominant SE direction.
Several days with temps at or below record max minimums.
Station daily records included:
3RD - TEMPERATURE TIED MAXIMUM MINIMUM 76° [PREVIOUSLY 1977];
4TH - PRECIPITATION 1.24" [PREVIOUSLY 0.72" 1978];
22ND - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM MINIMUM 74° [PREVIOUSLY 72° 1987];
27TH - TEMPERATURE MAXIMUM MINIMUM 75° [PREVIOUSLY 74° 1988];
28TH - TEMPERATURE TIED MAXIMUM MINIMUM 76° [PREVIOUSLY 1988].
The average barometric pressure was 30.057".
The average relative humidity was 83% and the average sky
cover was 53.6%.
For the year-to-date, the temperature average was 0.9° below normal while rainfall
is running 10.41" above normal (131%).
[ + + ]
Richmond
- NWS AKQ reported the mean temp at RIC was 2.0° above normal. Rainfall
was 0.48" above normal. The average wind speed was 5.8 mph. The average relative
humidity was 82% while the average sky cover was 60%. [ + + ]
Mechanicsville
- Glenn sends these notes: "
Another month of heavy rain and t-storms for the area. Some of the t-storms were
strong with strong winds and downpours.
"
New Market
- Joyce reports: "
Temperatures and rainfall are above normal for August even with only
sprinkles since the 11th of the month. Been very hot and dry since the
12th."
[ + + ]
Newport News
- Gary adds these notes:"
ANOTHER WET MONTH. AVERAGE
TEMPS FOR MONTH WERE WARMER THAN
JULY. THE HIGH & LOW FOR THE MONTH
WERE ONLY TWO DAYS APART.
"
[ M + ]
Roanoke
- Wendell notes: "
August was warmer, 2.4° above average of 74.3°, and drier, 0.44" below the normal
of 4.01". Some areas nearby had 3 times my amount of rainfall. Had 11 t-storm
days."
- [ + - ]
Roanoke
- NWS Blacksburg reports that the Roanoke airport monthly mean temp was 1.7° above normal.
Rainfall was 0.30" above normal. The average
wind speed was 4.3 mph."
[ + + ]
Woodstock
- "
Both precipitation and mean temperature were right on the median
for August: nine wetter, eight drier; nine warmer, eight cooler.
Unusual were the 14 straight days of dense fog, beginning on the first.
" - notes from Lauck [ +/- +/- ]
North
Carolina:
Asheville
- from NWS GSP: The monthly mean temp was 1.9° above normal and the
rainfall was 2.50" above normal. The average wind speed was 3.1 mph.
[ + + ]
Charlotte
- NWS GSP reports the mean temp here was 1.7° below normal and precip
was 6.63" above normal. The average wind speed was 3.9 mph.
- [ - + ]
Elizabeth
City - The Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station [ECG] reported an average
wind speed of 7.7 mph. The mean temp was 0.5° above normal while rainfall
was 2.04" above normal. The average relative humidity and sky cover were
81% and 20% respectively. - from NWS AKQ [ + + ]
Fayetteville
- NWS RDU reports the average wind speed was 5.9 mph.
Cape Hatteras -
"The average temperature in August 2003 was 78.0°. This was
-0.6° cooler than the 1895-2003 average, the 34th coolest
August on record (1895-2003). 8.93" of precipitation fell
in August. This was 2.97" more than the 1895-2003 average,
the 22nd wettest such month on record (1895-2003)."
- from NCDC [ - + ]
Greensboro
- NWS RDU notes a mean temp here that was 1.2° above normal. Rainfall was
5.51" above normal. The average wind speed was 4.1 mph.
- [ + + ]
Hickory
- The average wind speed was 2.7 mph. The average monthly temperature was 0.5°
below normal while rainfall was 5.73" above normal - from NWS GSP [ - + ]
Lumberton
- The average wind speed was 4.4 mph. The average monthly temperature was 2.6°
above normal while rainfall was 2.65" above normal - from NWS ILM [ + + ]
Raleigh
-
NWS RDU reports the average daily temperature was 1.7° above normal while
precipitation was 4.79" above normal. The average wind speed
was 5.1 mph." - [ + + ]
Raleigh
- Bob notes: "
The weather pattern basically remains unchanged with temperatures
averaging below normal and precipitation above normal. For the year,
precipitation for this station is now 5.30" above normal. In comparison,
this station was 4.11" below normal as of July 31, 2002. What a difference
one year makes! In addition, the highest temperature so far has been only
95°.
" - [ - + ]
Roxboro
- Merriell reports: "
Temperatures and rainfall averaged above normal. August was not as hot and
humid as in previous years.
" - [ + + ]
Wilmington
- From NWS ILM: The average temp was 0.5° above normal while rainfall
was a 0.98" below normal. The average wind speed was 6.1 mph.
- [ + - ]
South
Carolina:
Anderson
- NWS GSP reports the monthly mean temp was 0.2° below normal.
Rainfall was 0.29" above normal. The average wind speed was 4.3 mph. -
[ - + ]
Charleston
- NWS CHS reports the monthly mean temp was 1.0° above normal. Rainfall
was 3.08" below normal. The average wind speed was 6.3 mph. - [ + + ]
Columbia
- NWS CAE reports that the mean temp here was 0.4° above normal. Rainfall
was a 1.79" below normal. The average wind speed was 4.5 mph. -
[ + - ]
Florence
- The mean temp here was 0.5° above normal while rainfall totals were
3.88" below normal. The average wind speed was 4.6 mph. - from NWS ILM
[ + - ]
Greenville-Spartanburg
- The monthly mean temperature was normal while rainfall
was 7.26" above normal. The average wind speed was 4.7 mph. - from NWS
GSP [ +/- + ]
North
Myrtle Beach - The mean temp was 1.7° above normal while rainfall
was 3.50" below normal. The average wind speed was 6.7 mph.
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS TIED ON THE 26TH PREVIOUSLY SET IN 1994.
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS SET ON THE 27TH. THE PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH WAS 91° SET IN 1990.
" - NWS ILM [ + - ]
Orangeburg
- NWS CAE reports the average wind speed here was 3.8 mph.
Nearby
Cities:
Tri-Cities
-
The mean temperature was 1.7° below normal while rainfall was 2.51" above the
norm. - from NWS MRX [ - + ]
