August 2009 Archives

Now that the Space Shuttle Discovery has docked with the International Space Station, we'll have several good opportunities to see the pair in orbit from Austin. Here are the dates and times:

Tuesday September 1st, 6:23 am, Duration 2 minutes
Moving from the north to the east, maximum elevation only 11 degrees, dim.

Wednesday September 2nd, 6:14 am, Duration 3 minutes
Moving from the north to the east, maximum elevation 19 degrees, slightly brighter.

Thursday September 3rd, 6:05 am, Duration almost 4 minutes
Moving from the north to the east, maximum elevation 33 degrees, Bright.

Friday September 4th, 5:58 am, Duration 2 minutes
Appearing at 63 degrees elevation in the eastern sky, moving to the southeast, Very bright.

Saturday September 5th, 8:14 pm, Duration 3 minutes
Moving from the south to the east, maximum elevation 14 degrees. Not as bright.

Sunday September 6th, 8:04 pm, Duration 4 minutes
Moving from the south to the east, maximum elevation 25 degrees. Bright

Monday September 7th, 7:54 pm, Duration 5 minutes
Moving from the south to the northeast, maximum elevation 51 degrees. Very Bright.

Good luck!

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Well, it was one for the record books. Meteorological Summer ended on August 31st (it runs June 1st through August 31st). At Camp Mabry, it was the hottest summer ever recorded. Here are the final numbers:

HOTTEST SUMMER EVER RECORDED IN AUSTIN (Camp Mabry)

1) 2009 Average Temp 89.1 degrees
2) 2008 Average Temp 86.7 degrees
3) 1980 Average Temp 86.2 degrees
4) 1923 Average Temp 86.1 degrees
5) 2006 Average Temp 85.8 degrees

In the world of weather, it's a really big deal to beat the old record by 2.4 degrees!! Also, August 2009 will go down in the books as one of the hottest months ever recorded. Here's that list:

HOTTEST MONTHS EVER RECORDED IN AUSTIN (Camp Mabry)

1) July 2009 Average Temp 89.5 degrees
2) August 2009 Average Temp 89.1 degrees
(tie) July 1860 Average Temp 89.1 degrees
4) August 2006 Average Temp 88.5 degrees
5) August 1999 Average Temp 88.3 degrees
(tie) July 1879 Average Temp 88.3 degrees
(tie) July 1884 Average Temp 88.3 degrees

As of August 31st, we stand at 67 triple-digit days at Camp Mabry for the year. That's just behind 1925 when we hit 100 degrees or better 69 times. Yet, 1925 doesn't make the list of hottest summers. Why is that? Looking back at the records for that year, the overnight lows were cooler back in 1925 than what we saw this summer. That may have to do with an increasing urban heat island, or the fact that the planet is warmer overall than it was more than 80 years ago. Also, there must have been a very strong front that hit on August 1st, 1925. The high was only 79 degrees on the 1st and 73 on the 2nd!! Those factors knocked 1925 out of the running for the hottest summer ever.

-Mark Murray

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Many people have been asking me why the mold count continues to be so high, despite the lack of rain. There are several reasons. Certain types of outdoor mold (especially Alternaria tenuis) love this very hot weather. Plants distressed from the hot, dry weather are more vulnerable to attack from molds. Alternaria can be found in soils and compost piles. And, the simple act of watering your yard is enough to active the mold spores. Here's what Alternaria tenuis looks like under a microscope.

-Mark Murray

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As of 9:30 pm Monday evening, Lake Travis is now at its third lowest level in history. The lake is falling under one foot per week (0.7') at this time.

1) 614.18' set in August of 1951
2) 615.02' set in November of 1963
3) 636.48' (and falling) set in August of 2009
4) 636.58' set in October of 1984
5) 640.24' set in October of 2000

Lake Buchanan isn't much better. Buchanan is at its fourth lowest level in history. Buchanan is falling about one foot per week.

1) 983.70' set in September of 1952
2) 986.63' set in September of 1964
3) 994.73' set in October of 2000
4) 996.23' (and falling) set in August of 2009
5) 997.95' set in January of 2007

-Mark Murray

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At 10:00 pm Sunday night, Lake Travis dropped to the 3rd lowest level in its history. Here are the updated records of all-time lowest lake levels:

1) 614.18' set in August of 1951
2) 615.02' set in November of 1963
3) 636.58' (and falling) set in August of 2009
(tie) 636.58' set in October of 1984
5) 640.24' set in October of 2000

Lake Travis is still dropping about a foot and a half per week. No measurable rainfall is in the forecast for at least the next 5 days.

Mark Murray

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