Summer 2020 normal in heat, rain

Few things in 2020 have appeared normal, and the summer months, which the experts said would see a decline in coronavirus as heat would hinder if not decimate the bug, have not delivered on that assessment. Approaching September, which has historically ended all 100 degree days for the year in Ennis, weather forecaster Ron Vestal reports the most triple-digit days this town has ever recorded after August is nine, which occurred in September of 2011. So, barring a record this month, the most-ever days to surpass 100 in the Bluebonnet City, 18, will likely stand. It is currently at eight, all of which were in August, including five-in-arow, Aug. 12-16. The hottest day this year was 104 degrees, happening three times, Aug. 15, 16 and 28.

Vestal’s expertise, which includes decades as a contributor for meteorologist Harold Taft, has now charted the weather patterns for this town for over 45 years.

As for precipitation, he says August saw only 1.54 inches, almost an inch below below average. Through eight months, Janthrough-Aug, 26.60 inches of rain has fallen, or 0.76 less than average.

Vestal pointed out that 2020 saw only 5.56” of rain during the three-month summer is below the norm of 7.92 and considerably less than the 18.00 of 2019. Contrasted with the average daily temperature of the summer this year, at 83.3, there was little change. The avg. in 2019 was 82.6, while the three-month average, dating back nearly five decades, is at 83.1.

One factor that could effect the general opinion, since Ennis football doesn’t kickoff until Sept. 25, and won’t play at home until Oct. 9 against Waxahachie, is that it may seem cooler than normal. Should the team advance deep in the playoffs, they will still be playing in January.

Be advised to get your popcorn ready, and if you are optimistic, dry-clean your winter jackets.