We are 90 Degrees and Lucky...(6-30-12)
It is a hot 90 degrees out on my porch this Saturday afternoon as I write up this blog but I consider myself lucky considering the weather headlines from elsewhere across the country. First, we have the wildfires over the Rockies and in particular Colorado where thousands of acres have been charred and hundreds of homes destroyed. 
High Peaks Fire, Colorado US Forest ServiceThese fires are being fueled by dry weather and record heat. Denver reached 100 F or better 5 times last week. Here is an interesting map showing how the worst fire, near Colorado Springs grew, last week:
The heat that started in the Rockies and Plains has shifted east over the last few days and is settling in south of the Ohio River as we start the weekend. Here are some of the records that have fallen:
*Nashville hit 109 F Friday, breaking the record for the hottest day on record
*St. Louis was 108 F Thursday which was their warmest June day ever.
*Indianapolis also set a June high temperature record and they are likely to
have their drier June on record. Only .09” of rain has fallen for the month.
While it has been hot here in Syracuse the last three days (88,90 and at least 91) we aren’t breaking any records and the humidity isn’t too bad.
On the very fringe of the torrid heat are thunderstorms that have been very destructive. A long lived cluster of storms but widespread damage to the Ohio Valley and Mid Atlantic states Friday. Central New Yorkers are very familiar with these types of storms - a derecho. It was a similar storm that moved through upstate New York on Labor Day 1998.
Friday’s storm started near Chicago early in the afternoon and raced southeast at speeds of 55 mph crossing through Indiana, Ohio, the Virginias and Maryland. By the time it moved over into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after midnight there were almost 500 reports over damaging winds, millions without power and 10 people dead. Here is an image showing the storm on radar at different points yesterday.
At worse, some of these same areas could be hit with strong thunderstorms again Saturday. At best, those without power are going to have to swelter in 90 and 100 degree weather. Go to any newspaper web site in cities hit by these storms like Fort Wayne, Columbus or Washington DC and you will see stories of utilities trying to get power back and how to avoid foodborne illnesses as food rots in power-less refrigerators. So as we head into the 4th of July holiday count your blessings here in central New York.
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