“Iced tea is too pure and natural a creation not to have been invented as soon as tea, ice and hot weather crossed paths.”

~ John Egerton, American writer

In less than two weeks, the summer of 2020 will be a done deal. The summer-like weather, as in past years, will continue into autumn. Before too long, we’ll bring our umbrellas out to welcome the first rain of the season. Until that day, such weather is only a dream or fond memory. Back to reality …

Labor Day weekend temperatures in many areas exceeded those previously recorded. Besides the obvious discomfort, the intensity of the heat and stupidity of a few ignited disaster. Fires continue to destroy structures and trigger evacuations across the San Gabriel Mountains and adjacent foothill communities; similar scenarios are found across California and throughout the western states.

One area that caught my attention was Colorado. It also endured weather whiplash (a meteorology term). On Monday, as wildfires burned, air temperatures plummeted nearly 60°F and snow fell – a summer winter-like storm. Driving the atmosphere’s haywire thermostat was the meeting of low pressure with strong high pressure – only a brief respite.

Areas with low pressure are generally associated with bad weather, i.e. storms. On the other hand, areas with high pressure are typically associated with good weather. In high-pressure areas, low-level air will spread outward, allowing air above to come down. This downward motion warms the air, causing evaporation and clear skies – presently hot temperatures and smoky conditions.

Now, a word from retired JPL climatologist and weather guru Bill Patzert: “September heat waves are not new. But the extreme heat – and the duration of heat waves – is new. Over the last century, the average temperature in Los Angeles over the entire year has increased by about five degrees. But the average temperature for the months of August and September has increased by eight to nine degrees.”

Heat waves lasting a few days had once been the norm, he explained. And “now we see one-week heat waves.”

Currently the weather forecast is rather complex. Cooler temps are expected but to what degree is in question. According to the NWS in Oxnard, it’s tricky to predict how much thickness of the smoke layer will obscure the sun. For the time being, smoke coverage is the most influential factor on non-coastal temperature.

My best guess, leading into next week, calls for average end-of-summer weather… daytime around 90 degrees and nights in the 70s. Iced tea, watermelon – served indoors – and short dog walks (sorry pup!) will see us through…

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her
at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick