July was HOT

July is over, and just in case you did not venture outside during the entire month, it was a hot one. Numerous records were smashed all up and down the east coast with several cities recording the most 100 degree days, or warmest overnight lows. It was no different here in Montréal as we came very close to tying our all time July record and several locations including St. Anicet exceeded 37C (100F).

Let’s take a look at the July 2010 numbers here in Montreal. Our average high temperature was 27.9C, well above the normal of 26.2C. Our minimum temperature was far more impressive with 18.5C compared to 15.6C. Take away the three nights of the month when we dropped close to 10C and that number would have been record breaking. We had 6 days of 30C or warmer and an incredible 21 days of 27C (80F) or warmer. Our extreme temperature was 35C, just shy of the warmest July day in Montreal which was 35.6C. We had a string of 15 days from July 3-17 where we had daily highs well into the upper 20’s and low 30’s, that included a 5 day stretch of 30’s with humidex readings over 40C, a first for Montreal. Precipitation was average with close to 100mm. However most of that fell in thunderstorms, and it remains too dry in many regions of the province.

August started off delightful with a beautiful, near perfect Sunday. Today we are warm and very humid with the increasing threat of thunderstorms this afternoon. Already watches are up in the northwest portion of the province and I expect those will be extended south this afternoon.

**Of note August is the time of year when the tropics begin to heat up. Right on schedule we have TD 4 about 1365 miles east of the Lesser Antilles in the open waters of the eastern Atlantic. Forecasters expect the storm to strengthen and become Colin in the next 24 hours.