Temperature
The third week of July, climatologically, is the hottest week of the year, and 2019 will not disappoint. While the remnants of Hurricane Barry will bring some welcome rain and slightly cooler temperatures to the Ohio valley Tuesday and Wednesday, it will only be a brief respite in a developing very hot pattern.
The computer models have had a cool bias for much of this year. While many waves of cool air have been predicted, and a few have materialized, only March was actually below normal in Cincinnati this year. July is averaging above normal in temperature, and quite dry, and that appears to be the trend for the month.
After what’s left of Barry moves on, it will get hot and humid moving into next weekend. The heat wave during the following week may become spectacular, challenging records in some areas and stifling chances for meaningful rainfall.
After that, cooler air will try to provide some temporary relief but heat should enthusiastically and consistently re-establish, a pattern which may last into the fall, while the best hope for meaningful rain will come only from occasional cold fronts trying to dent the very strong heat ridge and wild card tropical systems which may become quite numerous over the next two months.
Note: During these hot, dry periods, remember to water those trees and shrubs. Yes, we have had a lot of rain this year, but things dry out in a hurry in high summer heat.