Is Summer 2013 Coolest, Wettest Summer In Memory?

We've heard many people remark that this summer has been the wettest and coolest in recent memory. News On 6 Meteorologist Dick Faurot says, at least as far as the last 10 years are concerned, neither is true.

Records show, out of the last 10 years, this summer is only so far the third coolest. It's beaten out by 2007 and 2004. Believe or not, the normal average temperature for the Tulsa area is only 80.9 degrees, and 2013, 2007 and 2004 fell well below that.

This summer, the average temperature has been 80.5 degrees. But in 2004, the average temperature was only 77.3 degrees.

But it is true that the last three years were much hotter. The hottest summer in the last 10 years was 2011, with an average temperature of 88.5.

That was also the driest summer of the last 10 years. A normal summer in Green Country would be 10.98 inches of rain. In 2011, we only got 2.98 inches. Last year wasn't much better, with 6.02 inches.

No surprise, two of the coolest summers were also two of the wettest--2004 and 2007 both saw over 15 inches of rain. But though it seems like we've had a lot of precipitation this summer, we've only had just under eight inches in 2013.

As for what's in the forecast, Faurot said this weekend should be a little drier.

"This active weather pattern of recent days will settle down somewhat for the weekend before cranking back up during the coming week," Faurot said.

Next week is forecast to see almost daily chances of showers and storms.

See more in Dick Faurot's blog.