To the left there sits an empty chair, Strange, these days that you’re not there, A hole’s been left so hard to fill, We carry on, it’s hard but still…. In such moments, as they arise, It’s fine to have to dry your eyes, For he’ll be present in his way, To share with you another day. -Anonymous

September was 0.4 deg F below normal for temperature. The high for the month was 85.9 deg. F recorded on September 8. The low for the month was 32.0 deg F, recorded on September 20. There were 0 days at or above 90 deg F and 1 day at or below 32 deg F. There were 171 heating degree days and 88 cooling degree days.

The drought continued into September with below normal precipitation of 2.61 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.37 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.34 inches recorded on September 29. There were 5 days of rain >.01 in, 5 >.10 in and 1 > 1 in.

High wind speed of 24 mph on September 23.

September 2020 Data

Outlook for October 2020

I have recorded 1.89 inches of rainfall since last Thursday. The drought isn’t over yet, but there are signs that it is improving.

Most of Centre County is still experiencing a moderate drought. However, our little corner of the county is now abnormally dry. The outlook for the rest of September indicates equal chances for normal rainfall (about 4 inches on average).

On Tuesday, December 17, our area experienced an ice storm. Freezing rain, supercooled rain droplets, froze on contact on many surfaces during the night.

About 0.16 inches of ice accretion was observed.

Also, snow squalls, on Wednesday, caused a pile up on I-80 that shut down the highway for 34 miles, in both directions, between the 178/220 North/Lock Haven exit in Clinton County and the 212B/I-180 West/Williamsport exit in Northumberland County.

During a recent walk with my dogs, I decided to take along my infrared thermometer.

During the summer, it is important to remember that the pads of a dogs paws are subjected to hot surfaces outside. Since there are no sidewalks where I live, our dogs walk on asphalt, gravel or grass.

I took a few measurements during a walk today. It was sunny around 2:45 PM EDT, and I found that the temperature of the asphalt can reach 140 F. It became increasingly cloudy during my walk so the asphalt cooled off a bit.

The gravel along the side of the road is preferable at 100 F. Grass in much better, even if it is dry and brown. I measured 85 F for dry grass. Green grass was cooler at 80 F. In the shade, the green grass measured 70 F. Even concrete in the shade was better than asphalt at 90 F.

By contrast, at 7 AM EDT, the asphalt temperature was 76 F.

These readings show that asphalt can be harmful to your dog’s pads. Today the air temperature was in the low 80s. If it was above 90 F, it follows that asphalt can be greater than 140 F and could burn dog’s paws.

A simple check is to place your finger tips on the asphalt for a few seconds to see if it’s comfortable.

The outlook for Stormstown in April appears to be warmer than normal and for precipitation to be normal. We’re probably done with snow for now.