August 2021 Climate Summaries
Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida Area
Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader (OPL)/Meteorologist
POC for Observation, Climate, and COOP
National Weather Service Mobile Alabama
September 5, 2021
August 2021 in Review - Other than small periods of time where the daily high temperature oscillated either well above normal, during dry spells or well below normal during more wet patterns, highs for the most part averaged very close to normal. Overnight lows showed very little change about the climatological means at Mobile but were at or slightly above normal for much of the month at Pensacola. No record temperatures were reached at both Mobile and Pensacola.
At the close of the month, Hurricane Ida came ashore Port Fourchon Louisiana as a category four hurricane on Sunday August 29th. On the east side of the hurricane, rain bands spiraling northward off the Gulf contributed to excessive rain in which two successive days set new daily record rainfall at Mobile. In fact, Ida's rainfall at Mobile from August 29th through the 31st totaled 9.37", or just under three fourths of the monthly total rainfall. At Pensacola 6.39", measured during the same time span, comprised 58% of the monthly total.
Mobile Alabama Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1872 to Present]- The average monthly high of 89.9° was 0.9° below normal. The average monthly low was 72.8° or 0.1° below normal. The average monthly temperature of 81.4° was 0.5° below normal. The highest temperature for the month, 96° on the 24th was 6° above the normal for the date. The lowest temperature for the month, 69° on the 5 and 17th, was 4° below normal for these dates. No record temperatures were reached. (Fig. A) shows a graphical representation of how the Mobile area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. Bar graphs reflecting the daily high/low temperature departures from normal are provided in the table below (Figs. B and C). Hurricane Ida brought an extended period of excessive rainfall to close out the month. Two successive days reached new daily record rainfall. On the 30th, 4.65" broke the previous record of 3.98" set on this date in 1950. On the 31st, 2.12" broke the previous record of 1.74" set on this date way back in 1932. In total, the rain gauge collected over a foot of water at 13.17" (Fig. D), 6.30 "above the monthly normal. The surplus in annual rainfall continues to rise significantly (Fig. E) to over 17" above normal to date.
August top records for the month during the Period of Record for the Mobile Area:
Click on the Mobile Alabama area climate graphics below to expand:
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Pensacola Florida Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1879 to Present] - The average monthly high of 91.4° was 0.4° above normal. The average monthly low was 76.1° or 1.1° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 83.8° was 0.8° above normal. The highest temperature for the month, 97° on the 1st was 5° above the normal daily high temperature for this date. The lowest temperature for the month, 73° on the 17th, was 2° below the normal daily low temperature for this date. No record temperatures were reached. (Fig. F) shows a graphical representation of how the Pensacola area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. (Figs. G and H) shows the daily high/low temperature departures from normal. The rain gauge collected several inches at 8.78" (Fig. I), nearly an inch above the monthly normal 7.89". The surplus in annual rainfall has risen since last month, at shy of 15" above normal to date. (Fig. J).
August top records for the month during the Period of Record for the Pensacola Area:
Click on the Pensacola Florida area climate graphics below to expand:
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Additional August 2021 Climatology and Topics
The latest August 2021 monthly summary for Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) - KVPS and Duke Field - KEGI has been received and provided in the table below. The temperatures in the daily tables consists of numbers both in °F/°C. Data courtesy of Mr. David Biggar, Staff Meteorologist, 96th Weather Squadron. Provided by permission.
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September 2021 Climatology, Seasonal Climatology and Outlooks:
The latest outlook for September continues to favor a wet pattern which supports temperatures at below normal levels. The latest forecast calls for above normal precipitation from the Texas coast, northeast to the Mid-Atlantic. In fact, the better favorability locally for above normal precipitation is along and west of Interstate 65. Below normal temperatures are favored from Louisiana, eastward to much of the state of Alabama. With current atmospheric and oceanic conditions remaining conducive for tropical activity, NOAA has updated its forecast for the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season, with storm numbers expected to remain above average. Take note: September continues to be a peak month for tropical cyclone activity. It's highly encouraged to review your hurricane preparedness. Click on the Preparedness Tab on the NWS Mobile Tropical Webpage.
Click on the snap shots below to expand:
 September Normals |
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Additional Climate Links:
The links below are intended to provide additional climate information, education and outlooks. The National Weather Service Mobile Alabama's Climate and Past Weather page provides climate data at your fingertips for many observation points in the local forecast area by accessing the NOWData tab as well as many other climate resources. The Climate Prediction Center Link provides short and longer range climatic outlooks and education about the larger scale global circulations that impact temperatures and weather. With the large agriculture and farming presence along the central Gulf coast, the Drought Monitor link provides updates on drought trends and impacts. Another very helpful resource is the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network, which is a large group of volunteers working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). The aim of CoCoRaHS is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. You can be a part of the CoCoRaHS team by becoming a volunteer rainfall observer. To learn more click on the CoCoRaHS link below.
National Weather Service Mobile AL Climate and Past Weather
Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
CoCoRaHS Network Water Year Summaries
Questions or Comments:
Contact: Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader WFO Mobile, AL at joe.maniscalco@noaa.gov
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