Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte said this week that June had well above normal rainfall, but average temperatures. The former probably won’t surprise anyone but the latter may. While the temperatures were average for June, the last week was warmer than average leaving everyone with the impression that the month was hotter than normal.

The average daily high for June was 82.7 degrees, 1.6 degrees below normal. The average overnight low was 63.8 which was 1.4 degrees above normal. This resulted in a monthly mean temperature of 73.3 which is just one tenth of a degree below normal. In a region where averages are made up of extremes it’s somewhat uncommon to have a monthly mean temperature this close to “normal”. It does continue a concerning and ongoing trend of overnight low temperatures being above normal. The highest temperature for June was 95 on the 28th and 29th. The lowest temperature for the month was 51 the morning of June 12th and 13th.

While May and June have nearly identical average rainfall, we were fortunate that June was drier than May. It was still above average, but at least drier. The first and last weeks of June were fairly dry. But in between it rained! Average June rainfall is 4.80 inches. Milford Lake received 7.37 inches of rain, Junction City only received 5.33 inches. Year to date Milford Lake has received 24.96 inches, Junction City 24.40 inches. Normal for January through June is 16.65 inches.

July brings us shortening days and increasing heat. Looking at long term averages July 18th is the hottest day of the year and then it slowly starts to cool down. July is the hottest month of the year. Average daily highs don’t change that much during July running 90 to 92 degrees and overnight lows 67 to 68 degrees. Rainfall normally starts to decrease as the summer moves on. Normal July rainfall is 4.07 inches. The highest all time temperature recorded in the Junction City area was in July of 1954. On July 12th, 13th, and 14th of that year the thermometer hit 114 each afternoon. The average daily high during July 1954 was 101.8 degrees! Temperatures hit 100 or above 19 days that month.