Chipperdog.comJune 19, 2013

Flooding Rains Hit Region

June 10th, 2013

June Rain Totals (through 6/11) – Station: 4.20″, West Lawn: 4.60″, Mohnton: 4.02″, Sinking Spring: 4.56″, Alburtis: 3.92″, Rdg. Airport: 4.17″, Fleetwood: 3.95″, Kutztown: 4.73″, Oley: 3.67″, Birdsboro: 3.68″, and Laureldale: 4.70″

In the wake of two plus inches of rain from tropical storm Andrea the county received another 1 to 4″ from today’s downpours. As of 11:00 PM the station recorded 1.77″ while the Reading Airport totaled 1.91″ breaking the daily record of 1.53″ from 2007.

The graph below shows the station rainfall history for June where our 10 year average is more than 5.5″.

June Station Rainfall History

June 10th, 2013 estimated rainfall totals (click image for full size)
NWS Estimated Precipitation

Tropical Storm Andrea to Soak Berks

June 6th, 2013

Storm Total: 2.09″
Other totals: Reading Airport: 2.01″, Vinemont: 2.14″, Mohnton: 2.32″, Kutztown: 2.31″, Oley: 2.11″, Fleetwood: 2.26″, and Laureldale: 2.13″

Tropical storm Andrea has made landfall in Florida and will continue to move up the coast. Heavy rain will entrench the area tonight into early Saturday as the system moves quickly up the coast. Estimates show anywhere between 1 and 3 inches total precipitation with locally heavier amounts.

The heaviest rainfall will be to our east which is the storm track. The final precipitation totals will be dependent on embedded thunderstorms and the final storm track. This will not be a wind event as most of the wind is on the eastern side of the system.

NOAA Andrea Precipitation Forecast:
Tropical Storm Andrea - Precip Fcst.

Berks First Heat Wave of 2013

June 3rd, 2013

Despite May being nearly 2 degrees below normal the month ended with our first official heat wave with 3 straight days of 90+. The 90 degree days were recorded at both our station (CW4113) and at the Reading airport.

This first heat wave was 3 weeks earlier than last year. The maximum heat index was 97 °F on June 1st and the airport tied the daily record of 94 °F on May 31st. The table below shows the heat wave summary and the records for each day.

The heat wave ended on Sunday as an approaching cold front brought clouds and scattered showers. The station picked up 0.33″ of rain as the front pushed through. Temperatures the rest of the week will be near normal at mid 70′s to low 80′s.

May 2013 Heat Wave

April 2013 Weather Summary

May 25th, 2013

April 2013 was relatively cool and windy but for the most part was on par based on our 10 year station history. The average temperature was 52.0 °F, which is 1.2 °F below normal. There were 11 days at least 5 °F below normal compared to only 4 days at least 5 °F above normal. The maximum temperature of 86 °F occurred on the 10th and the minimum of 27 °F occurred on the 4th. The coldest April at the station is 49 °F from 2007 and the warmest 57 °F from 2010. The station record low for April is 26 °F from 2008 and the record maximum is 90 °F from 2009.

There was no measurable snowfall in April which is typical and our station average is a scant 0.1″. None of the other county stations reported any measurable snowfall either. The monthly rainfall total was 3.34″ which is 0.80″ below the station average of 4.14″. The maximum daily rainfall of 0.98″ was recorded on the 19th. At the end of the month we accumulated a rainfall deficit of 0.41″ for the year.
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