It was a cold month, almost 2 degrees below average, with only 7 of the days warmer than average. However, apart from a stretch between the 18th and the 23rd where we had significantly below average temperatures the rest of the month wasn't that far off the average.
We also went for a month without a day over 20 degrees after that great week at the end of April, this combined with the amount of snow we had linger into the spring makes me think that people are desperate to see some more warmer temperatures.
The last recorded below zero temperature occurred at 7:15 am on the morning of May 1st, this is early as the frost free date is typically about a week later. However even in the 10 year history of UW weather station it has happened in late April so it isn't a record or anything.
Thus far this year has been a real mixed bag for temperature: 2 months significantly above average (January, April), 2 significantly below average (March, May), and one in the average range (February).
It started out as a wet month with 47 mm falling in the first half, however it didn't keep up that pace as we only saw 12 mm in the second half. In the end our total precipitation for the month was just barely enough to get into the average range.
We have had pretty consistent precipitation the last few months, while the total for the year (388.9 mm) is still above average for this time of year (340.2 mm).
Environment Canada prediction of temperature for the month: Average
Actual Temperature: Below average
Summary for May 2008:
Maximum Temperature 26.2 °C
Minimum Temperature -2.0 °C
Average Daily High Temperature 16.1 °C (Long term average 18.7 °C)
Average Daily Low Temperature 5.1 °C (Long term average 6.4 °C)
Total Precipitation 59.8 mm (Long term average 75.7 mm)
(Long term averages based on 1970-2000 data for the Waterloo Wellington Airport)
Click on the image below to see the monthly chart:
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2 comments:
Just fyi, it doesn't have to be below zero to provide a hard frost.
We had frost last week in Kitchener; killed both my cucumber plants. :(
Usually, it's safe to plant once the May long weekend has passed, so that's a week and a half behind.
Kate
Yes it is good idea to keep in mind that everybody's local conditions are going to make a big difference as to whether or not a temperature of zero will cause damage to your plants.
But of course we need a standard way to determine the last frost day and it is generally accepted as being 0 degrees at a height of 2 m, even though the temperature at the ground surface will be different.
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