Western Wisconsin (WQOW) - A passing cold front late Wednesday afternoon will open the door to cooler and more comfortable air. Highs the rest of the week and this weekend will range from 79 to 84.
"Obviously, a stretch of cooler weather, even if it is small, is welcomed news here in the Chippewa Valley," said News 18 Meteorologist Nick Grunseth. "This month, we have been running an average high temperature of 90 degrees, seven degrees above the climate normal."
Grunseth says the overnight lows have been about five degrees above average too. The warm overnights often give the day a "head-start," allowing temperatures to rise further in the afternoon.
Since July 1st, the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport has only recorded three below average days, when daytime highs and nighttime lows are considered. July 18th was the only day this month when the daytime high fell short of the average high.
"There should be many more days than that," said Grunseth. "Ideally, we like to see periods of above average and below average weather. That's how weather works. When we say 'today's average high is 83,' it's intended as a reference. It's not necessarily bad if it's above or slightly below. It's not always good though when considering precipitation."
The National Climatic Data Center says 64% of the continental U.S. is in a drought because of a lack of rainfall. An additional 17%, including part of the Chippewa Valley, is "abnormally dry." Since June 1st, the meteorological beginning of summer, the Chippewa Valley is 1.90" below average for rainfall.
"My fingers are crossed for a few, slow and steady rains," said Grunseth. "Unfortunately, the pattern we are in isn't going to yield many of these events. We will certainly take scattered activity though. It's better than nothing at all."
Check out the WQOW Weather Page for the latest forecast information.
Courtesy: National Climatic Data Center
