Meteorological Summer is officially over. Here is a brief summary of June 1-August 31 in Stormstown, PA:
Number of days Max T >= 90 F: 13
Max T: 94.7 F – July 15, 2024
Min T: 43.9 F – June 8, 2024
Jun Dep from Normal: 1.9 F
Jul Dep from Normal: 1.8 F
Aug Dep from Normal: -0.7 F
Heating Degree Days: 142
Cooling Degree Days: 714
Jun Precip: 2.45″, 1.64″ below normal
Jul Precip: 2.30″, 1.49″ above normal
Aug Precip: 9.36″, 5.20″ above normal
August was 0.7 deg F below normal for temperature. The high for the month was 92.9 deg. F recorded on August 1. The low for the month was 45.4 deg F, recorded on August 21. There was 1 day at or above 90 deg F. There were 57 heating degree days and 202 cooling degree days.
August was an above-normal month for precipitation with 9.36 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 5.20 inches above normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 2.17 inches recorded on August 9. There were 14 days of rain >.01 in, 10 >.10 in, and 4 >1 in.
High wind speed of 28 mph on August 31.
July was 1.8 F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 94.7 deg. F recorded on July 15. The low for the month was 49.5 deg F, recorded on July 2. There were 7 days at or above 90 deg F. There were 24 heating degree days and 302 cooling degree days.
July was a below-normal month for precipitation with 2.30 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.49 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.28 inches recorded on July 22. There were 6 days of rain >.01 in, 3 >.10 in, and 1 >1 in.
High wind speed of 29 mph on July 16.
Drought conditions worsened as well.
After my tugboat model project I began to produce more practical parts. I made covers for my electronics, a cable holder, a and switch lock plate.
At a CCPaSEC board meeting, a new dissolved oxygen meter was demonstrated. One of the drawbacks was that the probe was unprotected while in use. I volunteered that I had a 3-D printer and that I would like to try making a protective cover.
I started with a simple design (the prototype on the left). The posts were too small which caused the rough filament dispersal at the top of the object. The second prototype was better. However, the circular holes were too large which resulted in a weak structure. Also, the inside diameter was too tight to attach to the probe. The final design on the right has smaller circular holes, giving the cover strength. I widened the diameter of the inside diameter 2 mm from the bottom to the top. That resulted in a snug fit.
The final prototype was made with orange filament for visibility if dropped.
June was 1.9 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 93.6 deg. F recorded on June 22. The low for the month was 43.9 deg F, recorded on June 1. There were 61 heating degree days and 210 cooling degree days.
June was a below normal month for precipitation with 2.45 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.64 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 0.97 inches recorded on June 29. There were 8 days of rain >.01 in, 5 >.10 in and 0 >1 in.
High wind speed of 27 mph on June 23.
Here is the latest drought summary for Pennsylvania:
During the 1960s, my Uncle Norman built a model of a tugboat that he had worked on as an engineer. It was gifted to me then and has been in storage for years. It is still in good shape despite missing parts, notably the stern mast, the light above the wheelhouse, two navigation lights, the stern panel to the wheelhouse, and an antenna.
I have been planning to restore it for a while. I purchased a 3-D printer to manufacture the missing parts. The model is also dusty, so the first step in restoration was to clean it.
I removed all of the dust and printed the missing parts. I dry-fitted the parts before painting and gluing them to the model. The most difficult part to make was the stern mast. I printed one section for the lower portion of the mast and three sections that included a light on each one.
Here is the model’s starboard view with all the missing parts now painted and installed.
Here is the port view. I am pleased with the results.
Meteorological Spring is officially over. Here is a brief summary of March 1 – May 31, 2024 in Stormstown, PA:
Number of Days Max T <= 32 F: 0
Number of Days Min T <= 32 F: 15
Max T: 85.4 F – May 2, 2024
Min T: 18.5 F – March 22, 2024
Mar Dep from Normal: 7.0 F
Apr Dep from Normal: 2.9 F
May Dep from Normal: 2.6
Heating Degree Days: 1231
Cooling Degree Days: 118
Mar Precip: 3.36″, 0.02″ below normal
Apr Precip: 5.92″, 2.41″ above normal
May Precip: 5.40″, 1.76″ above normal
May was 2.6 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 85.4 F, recorded on May 2. The low for the month was 40.1 F, recorded on May 31. There were zero days at or below 32 F. There were 167 heating degree days and 86 cooling degree days.
May was an above-normal month for precipitation with 5.40 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.76 inches above normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.07 inches recorded on May 10. There were 18 days of rain >.01 in, 12 >.10 in, and 1 > 1 in.
The high wind speed for the month was 34 mph on May 8.
April was 2.9 F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 84.0 F, recorded on April 29. The low for the month was 28.0 F, recorded on April 21. There were 3 days at or below 32 F. There were 413 heating degree days and 29 cooling degree days.
April was an above-normal month for precipitation with 5.92 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 2.41 inches above normal. 3.51 inches fell during the first 3 days of the month. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.90 inches recorded on April 2. There were 16 days of rain >.01 in, 8 >.10 in, and 2 > 1 in.
There was no measurable snow in April.
High wind speed of 38 mph on April 13.
March was 7.0 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 74.2 deg. F, recorded on March 14. The low for the month was 18.5 deg F, recorded on March 22. There were 0 days where the maximum temperature was at or below 32 F, and there were 12 days where the minimum temperature was at or below 32 F. There were 651 heating degree days and 3 cooling degree days.
March was a near-normal month for precipitation with 3.36 inches of rainfall recorded, 0.02 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.35 inches recorded on March 9. There were 13 days of rain >.01 in, 7 >.10 in, and 1 > 1 in. There was no measurable snow accumulation.
High wind speed of 45 mph on March 11.
Stormstown Dispatch 