This is the end, my friend! The last day of a record-breaking month in Indianapolis. If my forecast is correct, today’s high of 81 will mean an average high for the month of 79.3 degrees in Indy. The average low will be 60.9 degrees. That means an average temperature of 70.1, which is the coolest July on record. The old mark was 70.6, from 1947. Just two years ago the average high in July was 95.6 degrees.
Temps have been increasing a few degrees each day of this week, and that trend will hold today, then slow until next week. I do expect nearly normal high Sunday and Monday, and we’ll actually go above average Tuesday and Wednesday, with an increase in humidity. But don’t sweat it (sorry) because another cold front should get here by Thursday of next week.
That’s one reason for rain in the seven day forecast. The others come today through Saturday, and the reason is familiar. A broad system of low pressure centered over Eastern Ontario, matched by a broad area of high pressure over the warmer western US. The upper level waves rotating around that sluggish low interact with the heat of the day to bring random rain chances.
The waves seem likely to keep more of a distance today, so this afternoon’s showers and storms should be more scarce. But the chance will definitely be there Friday and Saturday afternoons.
This is the end of not only a cool July, but a drier-than-average one for Indianapolis. If you count from the start of the year – or the start of meteorological summer in June – we are a little above average on rain. But for the month itself these are the stats as I get ready to close the files:
Indianapolis: 3.10″ (4.43″ average)
Lafayette: 3.99″ (3.86″ average)
Muncie: 2.13″ (4.26″ average)
Bloomington: 3.75 (4.80″ average)
Terre Haute: 2.41″ (4.67″ average)
INDY ALMANAC:
The average high today is 84 and the average low is 66. Records are 98 and 49. The sun rises at 6:43 and sets at 8:59.
PAUL’S PREVIOUS PREDICTION:
Yesterday’s high was 78. My forecast was 78.
INDIANAPOLIS SEVEN DAY FORECAST:
Today: Partly sunny. An isolated afternoon shower or storm is possible. High 81.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 62.
Friday: Partly sunny. Chances of afternoon and early evening showers and storms. High 82.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 62.
Saturday: Partly sunny. Chances of afternoon and early evening showers and storms. High 82.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low 62.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High 83.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Low 63.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High 84.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 64.
Tuesday: Partly sunny. High 87.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 67.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 88.
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