A record dry for July

MILLPORT, Ohio – July of 2001 is the driest on record, according to Edwin R. Copeland, U.S. weather observer, reporting from his post in southern Columbiana County.

The old record was July 1930 with 1.48 inches of rain.

“We hope it doesn’t continue as 1930, because it stayed dry until late in the fall,” said Copeland. It rained only six days and the largest amount of rain was .049 of an inch.

“We are short 4.25 inches of rain for June and July,” said Copeland. “Only when the crops are harvested will we know the damage.”

The hottest day was 94 degrees recorded on July 23. The cold night was 42 degrees recorded on July 6.

The 109-year averages for July are: 70.5 degrees, 4.11 inches of rain and 65 percent sunshine.

Averages for July 2001 are: 69 degrees, 1.28 inches of rain and 70 percent sunshine.