In 2009, Toquerville received 1.14 inches of rain in January.
In 2010, Toquerville received 3.09 inches of rain–almost triple the previous year.
And if February is equal to last year (1.61 inches), Toquerville will have received almost 75% of its annual rain in two months. The pattern bodes well for a good water year.
In 2009, the average high temperature for January was 51.26, and the average low 32.97.
In 2010, the average high temperature for January was 48.74, and the average low 32.84
In 2009, the average wind speed for January was 17 mph. The average wind speed for January 2010 was 11 mph.
Toquerville also had one fog day, January 23rd.
Average humidity for January 2010? 49%
So January 2010 has been wetter and cooler than 2009, and that makes sense, more cloud cover, more rain, less radiation reaches the ground, thus cooler temperatures.
And we are in an El Nino pattern, so Utah should receive more rain than normal, more storms come from the south, which means less wind for Toquerville, which is exactly what we had.
Toquerville also received 40 more minutes of daylight in January.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January Weather and Rain
Although Toquerville receives about 7 inches of rain each year, the lion's share of that moisture comes during the months of December, January and February; the balance being more or less evenly scattered through the remaining nine months.
In January 2009, Toquerville received hefty amounts of rain during a four day period in late January (Jan 23-27), and in 2005 Toquerville received heavy rain in January that caused flooding along Ash Creek. Consistent with this pattern, Toquerville also received heavy rain this January. From Monday January 18 through Saturday January 23, Toquerville received 2.44 inches of rain, below are the daily totals:
Monday = .50
Tuesday = .39
Wednesday = .15
Thursday = .93
Friday = .33
Saturday = .14
The Thursday .93 inches of rainfall is the highest single day rainfall in the three years I've been recording data, and the weekly total of 2.44 is well above any previous weekly total over the past three years. So assuming Toquerville receives 7 inches of rain again in 2010, it has already received almost 40% of its annual rainfall.
This weather is a result of the El Nino weather pattern caused by higher than normal warming of the Pacific Ocean water off the coast of Peru. El Nino causes the jet stream to drop well down into southern California and northern Arizona, allowing warm, moisture laden storms to come ashore in southern California and affect Arizona, Nevada and Utah in an unusual way. Meteorologists reported one of the lowest barometric pressures ever seen off the coast of California this past week. And on Thursday morning (Jan 21, 2010) Salt Lake City recorded the lowest barometric pressure reading--ever. That low pressure drew up the moisture from the south and doused the state with large amounts of rain and snow. In an El Nino year, Utah receives higher than normal amounts of rain and snow.
Although Ash Creek, Laverkin Creek, and the Virgin River were all running higher than normal, no flooding occurred. Because the 2.44 inches of rain was spread out over a six day period, with periods of no rain in between, the soil was able to absorb much of the water and prevent flooding.
The prolonged, deep soaking we received this week is ideal for trees, pecans, yards and garden soil. Unfortunately, it also probably insures a bad infestation of the Beet Leafhopper, and another bad year for Curly Top Blight. The Leafhoppers thrive in the hills during wet Winters and wet Springs, then move down into the valleys when the hills dry out in the spring, and our gardens get going.
In January 2009, Toquerville received hefty amounts of rain during a four day period in late January (Jan 23-27), and in 2005 Toquerville received heavy rain in January that caused flooding along Ash Creek. Consistent with this pattern, Toquerville also received heavy rain this January. From Monday January 18 through Saturday January 23, Toquerville received 2.44 inches of rain, below are the daily totals:
Monday = .50
Tuesday = .39
Wednesday = .15
Thursday = .93
Friday = .33
Saturday = .14
The Thursday .93 inches of rainfall is the highest single day rainfall in the three years I've been recording data, and the weekly total of 2.44 is well above any previous weekly total over the past three years. So assuming Toquerville receives 7 inches of rain again in 2010, it has already received almost 40% of its annual rainfall.
This weather is a result of the El Nino weather pattern caused by higher than normal warming of the Pacific Ocean water off the coast of Peru. El Nino causes the jet stream to drop well down into southern California and northern Arizona, allowing warm, moisture laden storms to come ashore in southern California and affect Arizona, Nevada and Utah in an unusual way. Meteorologists reported one of the lowest barometric pressures ever seen off the coast of California this past week. And on Thursday morning (Jan 21, 2010) Salt Lake City recorded the lowest barometric pressure reading--ever. That low pressure drew up the moisture from the south and doused the state with large amounts of rain and snow. In an El Nino year, Utah receives higher than normal amounts of rain and snow.
Although Ash Creek, Laverkin Creek, and the Virgin River were all running higher than normal, no flooding occurred. Because the 2.44 inches of rain was spread out over a six day period, with periods of no rain in between, the soil was able to absorb much of the water and prevent flooding.
The prolonged, deep soaking we received this week is ideal for trees, pecans, yards and garden soil. Unfortunately, it also probably insures a bad infestation of the Beet Leafhopper, and another bad year for Curly Top Blight. The Leafhoppers thrive in the hills during wet Winters and wet Springs, then move down into the valleys when the hills dry out in the spring, and our gardens get going.
Toquerville Weather History
General Weather Information
First frost date 2008 = October 12th
First frost date 2009 = November 18th
Last frost date 2008 = April 10th
Last frost date 2009 = March 9th
Total rainfall 2008 = 7.1 inches (includes 13 inches of snow)
Total rainfall 2009 = 7.17
Longest day 2008 = June 15th, (14 hrs 43 minutes)
Longest day 2009 = June 24th, 14 hrs 44 minutes)
Shortest day 2008 = December 22nd (9 hrs 36 minutes)
Shortest day 2009 = December 23rd (9 hrs 36 minutes)
Average wind speed 2008 = 17.4
Average wind speed 2009 = 16.9
Days with wind speed below 10 mph 2008 = 44
Days with wind speed below 10 mph 2009 = 68
Days above 100 degrees 2008 = 35
Days above 100 degrees 2009 = 32
Days below 50 degrees 2008 = 36
Days below 50 degrees 2009 = 46
Average low temp 2008 = 49.5
Average low temp 2009 = 49.9
Average high temp 2008 = 73.26
Average high temp 2009 = 73.0
Average humidity 2008 = 29%
Average humidity 2009 = 30%
Toquerville had only 20 days with south winds over 20 mph, but 75 days with north winds over 20 mph (2009). Clearly, winds from the north dominate our weather. Days with winds over 30 mph from the north = 31, days with winds over 30 mph from the south = 2. Days with north winds over 40 mph = 16, days with south winds over 40 mph = 0.
Weather Detail
Coldest date 2008 = December 27th (19)
Coldest date 2009 = December 9th (16)
Hottest date 2008 = July 3rd (107)
Hottest date 2009 = July 17th (107)
Highest wind 2008 = 62 mph (March 2, 2008)
Highest wind 2009 = 52 mph ( May 24, 2009)
Heavest rain date 2008 = December 25th (.82)
Heaviest rain date 2009 = December 7th (.71)
2009 was 1.06 degrees colder than 2008
December 2009 was 1.14 degrees colder than December 2008
Observations
1. When the jet stream comes vertically down the state of Utah, Toquerville will always get high winds out of the north.
2. If a barometric low is situated to the east of Toquerville (eastern Utah to western Colorado) we will almost always receive high "canyon winds" from the north or northeast.
3. If a cold front moves through, Toquerville will always receive high winds for at least a day or two.
4. High winds usually last two to three days.
5. There are very few days of the year we receive no wind (two days in 2009)
6. We almost always have a wind over 10 mph, if even only for a matter of minutes, often early in the morning hours, or frequently in the mid-afternoon. Unless a cold front is moving through, or the jet stream is overhead, these winds only last a short time.
7. Toquerville may experience high temperatures over 100 degrees, but unlike most other southwest areas, the high is not reached until early afternoon. And, unlike most other southwest areas, Toquerville begins to cool off between 2-4 pm; thus giving Toquerville only short periods of high temperatures during summer months.
8. The Toquerville summer evenings are not typical of southwest desert areas because Toquerville evenings typically are cool and pleasant. Toquerville only had 37 days with night time lows above 70 degrees, and no night time lows above 80 degrees.
9. St George receives far more wind from the south than does Toquerville, and Toquerville receives far more wind from the north than does St George, though only 19 miles apart.
10. The length of the day (sunlight hours) is affected more by the sunset, than by the sunrise. Over the course of the year, the sunset time changes more than does the sunrise.
First frost date 2008 = October 12th
First frost date 2009 = November 18th
Last frost date 2008 = April 10th
Last frost date 2009 = March 9th
Total rainfall 2008 = 7.1 inches (includes 13 inches of snow)
Total rainfall 2009 = 7.17
Longest day 2008 = June 15th, (14 hrs 43 minutes)
Longest day 2009 = June 24th, 14 hrs 44 minutes)
Shortest day 2008 = December 22nd (9 hrs 36 minutes)
Shortest day 2009 = December 23rd (9 hrs 36 minutes)
Average wind speed 2008 = 17.4
Average wind speed 2009 = 16.9
Days with wind speed below 10 mph 2008 = 44
Days with wind speed below 10 mph 2009 = 68
Days above 100 degrees 2008 = 35
Days above 100 degrees 2009 = 32
Days below 50 degrees 2008 = 36
Days below 50 degrees 2009 = 46
Average low temp 2008 = 49.5
Average low temp 2009 = 49.9
Average high temp 2008 = 73.26
Average high temp 2009 = 73.0
Average humidity 2008 = 29%
Average humidity 2009 = 30%
Toquerville had only 20 days with south winds over 20 mph, but 75 days with north winds over 20 mph (2009). Clearly, winds from the north dominate our weather. Days with winds over 30 mph from the north = 31, days with winds over 30 mph from the south = 2. Days with north winds over 40 mph = 16, days with south winds over 40 mph = 0.
Weather Detail
Coldest date 2008 = December 27th (19)
Coldest date 2009 = December 9th (16)
Hottest date 2008 = July 3rd (107)
Hottest date 2009 = July 17th (107)
Highest wind 2008 = 62 mph (March 2, 2008)
Highest wind 2009 = 52 mph ( May 24, 2009)
Heavest rain date 2008 = December 25th (.82)
Heaviest rain date 2009 = December 7th (.71)
2009 was 1.06 degrees colder than 2008
December 2009 was 1.14 degrees colder than December 2008
Observations
1. When the jet stream comes vertically down the state of Utah, Toquerville will always get high winds out of the north.
2. If a barometric low is situated to the east of Toquerville (eastern Utah to western Colorado) we will almost always receive high "canyon winds" from the north or northeast.
3. If a cold front moves through, Toquerville will always receive high winds for at least a day or two.
4. High winds usually last two to three days.
5. There are very few days of the year we receive no wind (two days in 2009)
6. We almost always have a wind over 10 mph, if even only for a matter of minutes, often early in the morning hours, or frequently in the mid-afternoon. Unless a cold front is moving through, or the jet stream is overhead, these winds only last a short time.
7. Toquerville may experience high temperatures over 100 degrees, but unlike most other southwest areas, the high is not reached until early afternoon. And, unlike most other southwest areas, Toquerville begins to cool off between 2-4 pm; thus giving Toquerville only short periods of high temperatures during summer months.
8. The Toquerville summer evenings are not typical of southwest desert areas because Toquerville evenings typically are cool and pleasant. Toquerville only had 37 days with night time lows above 70 degrees, and no night time lows above 80 degrees.
9. St George receives far more wind from the south than does Toquerville, and Toquerville receives far more wind from the north than does St George, though only 19 miles apart.
10. The length of the day (sunlight hours) is affected more by the sunset, than by the sunrise. Over the course of the year, the sunset time changes more than does the sunrise.
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