The title of this post is a common refrain heard in my neck of the woods. While most of the continental US is baking in 80 - 100+ degree temperatures -- with heat indexes topping 120 in some spots -- here on the southwest Washington coast we're waiting for summer to commence! With a few brief exceptions, we have "enjoyed" a far cooler and wetter summer than most years.
As I've mentioned several times before, our weather is controlled by the marine layer. Typically, by this time of year, said marine layer is only a sporadic factor. This year, however, it rolls in almost every single night and doesn't burn off until late in the afternoon. If we're lucky, we may receive a few scant hours of sunlight before the marine layer rolls back in again.
Even though, on average, this should be our warmest time of the year (temps in the low to mid 70s), we struggle each day to make it out of the 50s. Despite the fact it's August, we've actually needed to turn our heaters on low at night!
While this lack of summer has been a bit galling to area residents, it comes more as a shock to tourists passing through. It's not uncommon to find folks trembling in tank tops, shorts and flip flops at our city park or in our few stores. "Is this normal?" they ask. No, we respond. This is typical April and May weather.
Does this portend a cold winter? Who knows? We could find ourselves snowed in during December OR maybe typical August weather will arrive by then! :-D
As I've mentioned several times before, our weather is controlled by the marine layer. Typically, by this time of year, said marine layer is only a sporadic factor. This year, however, it rolls in almost every single night and doesn't burn off until late in the afternoon. If we're lucky, we may receive a few scant hours of sunlight before the marine layer rolls back in again.
Even though, on average, this should be our warmest time of the year (temps in the low to mid 70s), we struggle each day to make it out of the 50s. Despite the fact it's August, we've actually needed to turn our heaters on low at night!
While this lack of summer has been a bit galling to area residents, it comes more as a shock to tourists passing through. It's not uncommon to find folks trembling in tank tops, shorts and flip flops at our city park or in our few stores. "Is this normal?" they ask. No, we respond. This is typical April and May weather.
Does this portend a cold winter? Who knows? We could find ourselves snowed in during December OR maybe typical August weather will arrive by then! :-D
We're experiencing the same in San Diego, and I think most of the left coast is affected. The water is really cool, and is keeping us really cool. We've had very few days above the 80s. But at least we're getting some sun.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll get a warm up soon, at least for a couple months?!
we had an unusually cool june and july as well, but now in august it's very much all heat and humidity and it's unsufferable. however, today is a nice exception, around 80 degrees with a nice breeze. :) too bad i have a bad cold and am not enjoying my day as much as i could be!
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