For me, May was a delightful month. I haven't had to run the air conditioning, the mountain biking has been delightful, and there have been new trails to explore in the Avenues foothills which have been green and full of wildflowers, although that is changing now.
The numbers for temperature, precipitation and drought, however, are more sobering. Officially at the Salt Lake City International Airport the average temperature for the month was 62.7˚F, making it the 19th warmest May since record keeping began in 1875. Rainfall was only 0.65 inches, which was not exceptionally dry, but still below the average of 1.82 inches. Spring precipitation can be spotty, so any one station can sometimes not be regionally representative. However, a statewide analysis of precipitation shows nearly the entire state received below average precipitation, with the southwest exceptionally dry.
 |
| Source: NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service |
The combination of above average temperatures and below average precipitation has further deepened the drought statewide. The entire state is now experiencing moderate drought or worse, with 62% experiencing exceptional drought.
 |
| Source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?UT |
Today (June 1) is the start of meteorological summer. Sadly, it's going to feel like it this week. Below is a National Weather Service infographic illustrating the potential for record breaking temperatures.
I'm not looking forward to it and such temperature will only exacerbate the drought.
Somebody wake me when the 5k is rolled. thanks,
ReplyDelete