July 2008

5th Warmest on Record...

     July’s average temperature was 84.2 degrees, which was 1.6 degrees
above the normal mean temperature of 82.6 degrees and the 5th warmest on
record.  The warmest July ever in Pensacola occurred in 2000, when the
mercury averaged 85.6 degrees.  The coolest year was 1923 when the
average temperature was 78.2 degrees.  The average high temperature for
the month was 92.4 degrees and the average low was 75.9 degrees.
Twenty-seven days topped the 90 degree mark.  The highest temperature
recorded during July was 98 degrees recorded on the 13th.  The lowest
temperature recorded during the month was 69 degrees on the 1st.

 The Pensacola Regional Airport received 5.56 inches of rain, which is
2.46 inches below the normal of 8.02 inches. Thirteen of July’s
thirty-one days received measurable rainfall.  One of those days were
soakers, with over one inch recorded.  The greatest 24 hour rainfall
total was 1.47 inches on the 5th and 6th.  The driest July on record
occurred 38 years ago, in 1970, when a mere 1.69 inches fell.
Conversely, nine years later in 1979, Pensacola received its greatest
July rainfall amount of 20.36 inches.  Year to date Pensacola has
recorded 33.13 inches of rain.  This is 5.99 inches below the normal of
39.12 inches.

        Wind information for the month:  The average monthly wind speed
was 5.8 mph.  The fastest two-minute wind speed was 36 mph from the
southwest.  The highest peak wind gust was 46 mph from the southwest,
which occurred on July 23rd as a strong thunderstorm passed nearby.