That July Was Hot and Dry

    While thunder and a little lightning were frequent occurrences last month, on the whole, July was free of severe thunder and lightning as well as ocean storms, according to Richard G. Hendrickson, the United States Cooperative weather observer in Bridgehampton.

    The warmest days of the month were July 22 and 23, when the thermometer rose to 98 and 91 degrees. Most of the month brought midday temperatures in the 80s. The coolest day, at 75 degrees, came on the 29th, according to Mr. Hendrickson’s records. The lowest nighttime temperature was 56 degrees on July 1, the only time last month when it was in the 50s.

    Mr. Hendrickson recorded measurable rains on only three days last month. July 9 brought the heaviest rain, 1.92 inches. On July 18 and 26, there was another 1.42 inches, bringing the total rainfall for the month to 3.34 inches, in keeping with the long-term average for July.

    “Years ago, without a fair July rain, crops dried up and were a total loss. Then when irrigation became possible, such losses were prevented,” Mr. Hendrickson, a retired farmer, wrote in his monthly weather report.

    “Our wind direction for July was greatly varied, as varied as I have seen it in all my years as a weather observer for the U.S. Weather Service.” Generally July means wind from the southwest. “This July, it was from the southwest on only 12 days. I have never recorded such a low number. July wind direction has always been 20 to 25 days or more from the southwest. What is the reason for this low number? Global warming? What is Mother Nature doing? I bet she has other plans.”

    Mr. Hendrickson recorded 10 clear days, 12 partly cloudy days, and 9 cloudy days last month.

    In August, he advised, “If we get weather squalls, most of them will come from a westerly direction. An afternoon or evening look in that direction can, at times, be very helpful.”