November 2012 Pictures and October 2012 Data

Ocotillo

 

Once again it was hot in Tucson. It was only the 12^th warmest October on record despite the average high temperature of 88.8°F (31.56°C). This was 4.0°F (2.22°C) above normal. It was dry with only a trace of rain at the airport and 0.04 inches (1.02 mm) at my house. The average low temperatures were close to normal. 

Prickly Pear - Notice dirt on lower pads from termites

Saguaro 

Barrel Cactus with fruit on top

October 2012 Pictures September 2012 Data

As we moved into fall, we closed out the summer with the first 9 months of 2012 registering as the 4^th warmest year on record that dates back to 1895. The average temperature for the year so far was 73.9°F (23.28°C). This was 1.6°F (0.89°C) above normal. We recorded 73 days over 100°F (37.78°C), which was 11 days above normal. Our rainfall for the first 9 months was -2.50 inches (63.5mm) below normal.

Our monthly data was close to average for September. The main exceptions were that the average low temperature was 1.3°F (0.72°C) above normal, and our rainfall was -0.91 inches (-23.11mm) below normal.

 

Prickly Pear with termite tubes

Ocotillo with a few leaves left

 

 

 

Saguaro

 

 

 

 

Termites on Saguaro

 

Termites on Prickly Pear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 2012 Pictures August 2012 Data

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August was hot and dry in Tucson. It was the 4th hottest August recorded and 28th driest August. The temperature topped 105°F (41°C) for 9 days in a row. We had three record-breaking high temperature days.  The records were:

August 8^th              108°F (42.2°C)

August 12^th            109°F (42.8°C)

August 13^th            109°F (42.8°C)

Our average high temperature for August was 100.5°F (38.1°C). This is 3.1°F (1.7°C) above normal. The official rainfall measurement at the airport was -1.22 inches (-30.99mm), which was below the normal measurement of 2.39” (60.71mm). However, at my house we were right on target for normal rainfall. The only consolation to this hot August was that it was still cooler than 2011, which was our 2^nd hottest August on record.

Prickly Pear looks a little less parched

Saguaro

Ocotillo: Lots of leaves

Close-up of termites on Saguaro