EASTON MASSACHUSETTS NORTHEAST BRISTOL COUNTY CLIMATOLOGICAL REPORT JULY 1996 Notes for July: The month of July 1996 averaged slightly cooler than normal and slightly wetter than normal yet much wetter and colder than Julys of recent memory. This mid summer month's average temperature of 70.3 degrees was only fractionally more than a degree cooler than the long term normal for the area yet based on a modern record of about 25 years it was almost 3 degrees cooler than normal. This month was the exemplification of nature's "balancing act." With the past two July's being excessively warm and dry, we were fortunate that July of 1996 was abundantly wet and just slightly cooler than the level we should have been for the month. However, meteorologically, the month was quite abnormal for its Western Ridge-Eastern Trough upper air pattern. Usually, the jet stream takes its "summer home" on the United States-Canadian border during this mid summer month; not this July. The previously mentioned configuration that developed in the atmosphere set us up for some interesting weather. The month was highlighted by Tropical Storm Bertha and the huge "bombed out" Low pressure center of the 19th. Our vulnerability for tropical storms in the Western Ridge-Eastern Trough pattern came to fruition when the tropics "birthed" Bertha. After ravaging some of the Caribbean islands, "Hurricane" Bertha struck the Carolinas putting on quite a spectacle yet bringing significant damage under its Category 2 strong winds. The awesome power of Nature was clearly revealed as a retired Navy war ship docked at one of the coastal points was turned 180 degrees by the heavy surf and strong gusty winds....Amazing! It wouldnt be long before Southern New England would see the fury of the storm moving through with gusty winds and heavy rains. Any ol'time weather watcher could have known this storm was approaching the New England area 24 hours ahead of time with the advancement of the high cloud layer and dramatic drop in barometric pressure quite evident. July 12th saw warm and pleasant weather with thickening high clouds. Along with the enjoyable weather came the highest pressure of the month at 30.34" during the morning hours....In 24 hours that changed dramatically as conditions rapidly deteriorated. Although I was away from the weather station on an extended trip to California while Bertha unleashed her power, the weather data kept coming in to me from Easton thanks to the miracle of modern technology and courtesy of Dad (Robert Nichols) who showed great dedication in his daily observations. The weather station at Oliver Ames High School in North Easton helped to keep some of the information for this storm saved as well....As Bertha approached, rain "pelted' the ground at the rate of 3.08" per hour in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 13th. Combined with thunder it was a stormy stormy night! The day saw heavy downpours and the mid day saw the highest winds for the storm gusting to 40 MPH from the South @ 2:42 PM in the afternoon....The pressure dropped to a low of 29.44" at 8PM as the storm passed west and north of the station....It is interesting to note that the pressure dropped a total of 0.83" in just 24 hours!!! Giving a fond farewell to Bertha, New Englanders started the cleanup process under a heavy tropical airmass and the hottest weather of the month. The 17th and 18th saw the mercury rise to a warm 89 degrees. It wasnt too long though before our unusual pattern brought yet more interesting weather to New England!!!! Yes, that famous saying about New England weather came true...Wait a minute if you dont like it and the weather will change. A huge intensifying area of Low pressure barrelled through the region bombing in Eastern Maine at a central low of 28.97." Its passage through New England brought the barometer down to 29.42" during the evening of the 19th, the lowest pressure of the month rivaling that of Bertha!!! Combine the weather pattern with the cool temperatures and very very dry air and the ingredients were there to make the weather map look more like October than mid July, the warmest month of the season! WOW!!! Winds were gusty that day at levels of 30 to 40 MPH in the region while Mount Washington saw the highest average winds on their climatological record for any July day along with the highest peak gust for any July!!! To echo Jim Corbin's thoughts and gratitude, we must say THANKS BERTHA!! Without the rains of the month we might all be water rationing and complaining about our dry gardens and lawns!! Here are the weather statistics for the Easton weather station, located in the extreme southeast corner of the town about 3 miles from the Raynham border...Our location in the Hockomock Swamp is about 80 feet AMSL, at 42 degrees 00 min N...71 deg 04 min W.... JULY 1996 TEMPERATURE Highest 89 17th,18th Lowest 53 11th Highest Minimum 69 16th Lowest Maximum 67 28th Average High 79.1 Average Low 61.4 Average for July 70.3 PRECIPITATION Total for the Month: 5.04** Departure for the Month: +1.07" Total for the Year to Date: 31.01" Normal through 7/31: 26.16" Departure Year to Date: +4.85" Greatest in 24hr Obs Day: 3.39" on the 13th Days with Measurable: 10 WEATHER 2 days with FOG 4 days with THUNDER WIND Peak Wind Gust at N. Easton was 40 MPH from the South @ 1442 on the 13th BAROMETRIC PRESSURE RANGE Lowest was 29.42" on the 19th @ 2038 Highest was 30.34" on the 12th @ 0735 DEW POINT AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY Average 8PM Dew Point 63° Average 8PM Relative Humidity 74% **-The climate record of the station for precipitation ends at 5PM...Thus due to the light rainfall that occurred after 5PM, the midnight record would be different. For reference only, the monthly total through Midnight would read 5.27." Furthermore, August's total will be a little different as well.... That's it for July!!!! On another note, this will be the last month end summary for the weather station regularly issued from the home location. August 1996 will mark a change for me as I head to Lyndon State College on August 23 for the start of my freshman year in college. Changes to come in the observational routine in Easton as well...I'll be noting that in future posts. Take care!!! Josh Nichols Easton, MA weather observer 75613.1534@compuserve.com Lyndon State College Freshman '96-'97