I have lived in Texas all my life, and no other subject has filled me with both fear and awe at the same time like Texas storms do. This powerful weather phenomenon has always inspired me. The storms themselves are a work of art. Powerful winds aloft sculpt the towers into magnificent shapes and structures. Lightning lights up the night sky like an Independence Day celebration, and the booming thunder seems to echo forever. All of these factors are orchestrated like a symphony in the heavens. “Majestic Noise” is the name of this performance, and I am its audience. I love photographing and experiencing these storms. It is my passion, my calling, and my mission. When the severe weather rolls in, I go out to listen for that “Majestic Noise!”

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

2011 Summer Heat Wave...

Well, its now the second day of August--one of our hottest months of the year. Last month July was the hottest month (average temperature) on record! We beat out the blistering heat and sickening streaks from 1936 and the summer of 1980!!! This is insane. Here's some more information about the heatwave.

Stay indoors and keep those AC units running.

Thanks.

-Ben


 Today we have matched are longest streak of consecutive days of 100+ degrees. 42 days in a row our max temperature has been at least 100 degrees. It would actually be closer to 60+ if we didn't have a few days where the temp only got to 99...

 The top ten warmest months for Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City. July 2011 takes first place. I'm not sure if that's a record that I'm excited about.

 This is the culprit. A very stubborn "Death Ridge" high pressure building over the southern half of the US. This high pressure system has intensified and so has our daily highs.

 In wake of the amplification of this "Death Ridge" the NWS has issued an "Excessive Heat Warning" for a a good portion of the southern states. surrounding the warning is a Heat Advisory

 Forecast for the rest of the week in Wichita Falls, TX. 111ºF, 109ºF, 108ºF, and 109ºF. Ugh...I can feel my brains turning to scrambled eggs.

 With almost no rain since May we are still in a major drought.


 Looking at this graph you can see that we have broken several records high temperatures for June/July. And we are WAY below our normal precipitation total. 13 inches!

Hurricane Eugene over in the eastern Pacific ocean.

There is hope with the hurricane season and the NHC is actually predicting an overly active hurricane season this year. Maybe we can get some tropical moisture and the ridge to break down to spawn off some thunderstorms with torrential rain. Its just wishful thinking I guess..