Simply Spectacular Sleeping Weather

Through 6 AM, the overnight minimum at the Salt Lake City airport was 58˚F, with temperatures likely falling below that prior to sunrise.  At my place, it was 55˚F when I awoke, with cool air pouring through the windows.  Relief!  Simply spectacular sleeping weather.

Yesterday's high at the airport reached only 89˚F.  It was the first day we did not reach 90 or higher since July 22nd.  That 38 day run is the 4th longest on record, tied with four other such periods.  #1 is a 50-day run ending on September 5, 1967.  

Yesterday's low was 63 and that marked the end of a run of 51 consecutive days with a minimum of 64˚F or higher at 51, the 2nd longest all time behind a 75-day run ending on August 8, 2013.  

One brute-force measure of the demand for energy to cool buildings is cooling degree days.  Through yesterday, this August sits at 566, ahead of 2013 with 554. 

Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers

Thus, regardless of where we end up for monthly average temperature, this month was a record for cooling degree days.  Note how during August, that metric is exhibiting both an upward trend and increasing variability over the past few decades, an observation with significant implications for the energy industry.  

Nothing would have pleased me more than to have titled this post "It's Over," but it's not.  The GFS forecast valid 0000 UTC 5 September (1800 MDT Friday) shows a high amplitude ridge parked over the Great Basin once again.  

Bottom Line: Enjoy the cool weather while it lasts and start praying for snow.