Year-to-date rainfall still nearly two inches below average
By Carl Quintrell, weather correspondent
STANLEY — With the remnants of Tropical System “Debby”, the month of August yielded above average rainfall totaling 6.15 inches, or 2.51 inches above the August average of 3.64 inches. The majority of the month’s rain was from “Debby” yielding 5.42 inches of much-needed rain. Total rainfall year-to-date is at the 25.26 inch mark, or 1.85 inches below average for the year.
The driest August dates back to 1976, with only 1.05 inches of rain recorded. The wettest August was 2020 with 11.36 inches of rain.
Temperatures for August were slightly above average with the average afternoon high temperature for the month at 85.8 degrees, or 0.5 degrees above the average high of 85.3 degrees. High temperatures for August climbed into the 90s on seven days, the 80s on 19 days, and in the 70s on five days during the month. The high for the month was 97 degrees on August 2.
The warmest August on record was in 1988, where the average afternoon high was 89.4 degrees with 20 days reaching the 90-degree mark or higher. The coolest August was in 2013, where the average afternoon high was only 80.1 degrees, with no days reaching the 90–degree mark.
The average daily low temperature for the month was 64.2 degrees, or 0.9 degree above the average low of 63.3 degrees. Low temperatures for the month were down into the 40s on two days, the 50s on six days, the 60s on 14 days and only in the 70s on nine days during the month. The low for the month was 49 degrees on August 21 and August 22.
The peak wind gust for the month was 32 mph on August 9.
Four records were broken during August 2024:
• Aug 8 — single day rain of 3.05 inches; previous record of 1.85 inches in 1982.
• Aug 9 — single day rain of 2.15 inches; previous record of 1.49 inches in 2007.
• Aug 22 — low temperature of 49 degrees; previous record of 50 degrees in 1969.
• Aug 26 — high temperature of 95 degrees; previous record of 94 degrees in 1977.
Winter Weather Folklore states: “For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall in winter.” August 2024 left us with THREE foggy mornings, does that mean we will see only THREE snowy days this winter? This weather folklore has only been correct four times in the past 56 years.
• Winter of 1984-1985: 13 August fog days and 13 snow days; total snow 8.25 inches.
• Winter of 1987-1988: 7 August fog days and 7 snow days; total snow 16.75 inches.
• Winter of 1991-1992: 2 August fog days and 2 snow days; total snow 1.75 inches.
• Winter of 2022-2023: 4 August fog days and 4 snow days; total snow 2.75 inches.
The times the lore was found to be true, the Page Valley had well below normal snowfall for the winter season. Yearly average snowfall is 22.3 inches. The winter of 2009-2010 yielded 16 snow days with the season total of 61.4 inches. There was only ONE foggy August day that year.
Other statistics for the month of August include:
• Seven days 90 degrees or above (eight average)
• Eight days with rain (10 average)
• 25 clear to partly cloudy days (22 avg.)
• Six cloudy to mostly cloudy days (nine avg.)
• 23 days with dew (24 avg.)
• Three days with fog (five avg.)
• Four days with a thundershower (four avg.)
For more local weather information,
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