Summer Recap: Does a mild summer mean a hot fall?

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – This summer felt much different compared to last year, when we hit a record 113 degrees. We were bracing for another scorcher, but thankfully, the extreme heat stayed away through June and most of July. Triple digits did not show up until the very end of July. By August, the summer heat really took hold with 22 days running warmer than average, including nine days at or above 100 degrees. That is when it started to feel like summer was trying to stick around longer than welcome, even towards the beginning of fall.

June started on a milder note. Summer officially began on the 22nd, but the month as a whole saw 20 days at or above average temperatures. Most of those days were only a few degrees higher and never climbed far above that range. Rainfall was scattered, and the official start of summer was fairly dry.

July, which is normally one of our hottest months, actually leaned cooler. Abilene averaged about 93.8 degrees, which is about three degrees below normal. We also picked up around two inches of rain, putting us above normal due to storms around the Fourth of July that also led to devastating flooding in the Hill Country. There were a few triple-digit days, but not enough to dominate the month.

August was when we started to feel more typical summer heat. Triple-digit days showed up more often, and rainfall was limited to less than an inch at a time. That was not enough to keep us out of drought conditions after being drought-free for much of the season.

September, the official end of summer, felt more like the peak. Out of 22 days, 19 were above average. Even on September 22, the first day of fall, temperatures hit the triple digits. Rainfall stayed away as well for a majority of the month, prompting drought conditions to worsen rapidly, and we can expect that trend to continue if we see the lack of rainfall continue.

Overall, Abilene’s summer finished with an average temperature of 83.5 degrees, which makes this the 26th warmest summer on record. The hottest day was on September 4th when we hit 104 degrees. The coolest morning was back on June 4th with a low of 62. Rainfall totaled 6.55 inches, which ranks as the 42nd driest summer on record.

So, while this summer was not record-breaking or extremely hot, the stretches of mild weather made the hotter days feel more intense. Each year brings its own challenges, and this summer still gave us a run for our money.

Looking ahead, fall is starting on the hot side. A cold front is expected Tuesday night, which will bring some true fall weather for a couple of days before we return to slightly above average temperatures. Overall, this fall is expected to be warmer than normal, but a few cold fronts will sneak in along the way.

Here is to summer officially ending and fall beginning in the Big Country!