July 2…11:30pm
It’s more like late September rather than the 4th of July weekend. Thursday’s high was only 72 tying the record for the low-high (not to be confused with the Don Ho, “AloooooooHaaaaa”. ) The record was last set in 1989. We also brushed another bit of history with Wednesday and Thursday not getting above 73 this was only the 10th time in all of Lexington’s weather records that we’ve had back to back July days that cool. The last was in 1979 and in fact it happened 4 times in 12 years going back to the late 60’s…which was a climatologically cool time with the cold phase of the PDO in place (btw where it is now and has been for most of the last decade). It didn’t happen for 30 years here during the warm phase of the PDO (btw that’s Pacific Decadal Oscillation…one of the strongest climate signals we see and it will be in its cool phase most likely for a couple of more decades for those of you keeping score at home…subtle hint…)
With most folks having a 3 day weekend for the holiday midpoint of summer (bracketed by Memorial and Labor Days) you’d think we’d all be getting ready to sweat. Now you may be, but it’s not really going to be the weather’s fault. Friday is looking like the best day of the holiday weekend with more sunshine and a high actually around 80 (normal is 85). Unfortunately an approaching warm front and a northwest flow aloft look to conspire to bring scattered thunderstorms to the rest of the weekend with Sunday having a slightly better chance than the 4th Saturday. Neither day is looking like a washout…but with the scattered storms around, including fireworks time Saturday, have a plan ‘b’ ready just in case.
Also, beginning July 4th it’s the annual Lemon Aid Days to benefit the Salvation Army. Thousands of kids will be holding Lemonade stands throughout the month of July to raise money for The Army’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter in Lexington. It’s kids helping kids which is simply terrific. If you’re interested in having a Lemon Aid stand, simply click the tile on our front page (it’s toward the bottom so you may have to scroll down). I’m honored to be this year’s honorary chairman and to be a part of today’s kickoff news conference downtown. Last year the kids raised over $20,000 for the Salvation Army…which stays right here. Let’s see just how much more we can raise this year!
So that’ll do it tonight. This weekend as you celebrate the holiday remember the meaning behind it…INDEPENDENCE…it’s a word that doesn’t get used much anymore.
Enjoy the holdiay and be safe.
Posted: July 2nd, 2009 under Bill's Blog.
