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This topic is similar to the New York and Dallas topics, except the question is "if," not "when." I don't have data prior to 1948, but Pittsburgh had at least one day of 90°F heat for 28 consecutive years from 1948 though 1975. Oddly enough, it was then blanked in seven of the next 29 years (1976, 1979, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2003, 2004). Ironically, Pittsburgh also had at least one day of 100°F heat in two years during that same period of time (1988, 1995), and those were its first years of 100°F heat since the 1930s!
There have been at least two days of 90°F heat in Pittsburgh for nine consecutive years since 2005, and at least 10 days of 90°F heat in five of those nine years (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012). However, the hottest it got in 2013 was 91°F despite cities to the east and west all getting much hotter. So now that Pittsburgh has already missed out on the first heat wave of 2014 in the eastern United States, and given its odd temperature history between 1976 and 2004, it's fair to ask: Will Pittsburgh reach 90°F in 2014? (If so, when?)
Highest so far this year is 89F on 17 June. Recent annual 90F counts at KPIT (30-yr avg ending 2010 is 9.5):
Most at current climo site (KPIT) is just outside of the frame at 38 in 1988; next is a far cry away...27 in 1995. Lame but so long as A/C is not mandatory, I'd like to keep things that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnutella
This topic is similar to the New York and Dallas topics, except the question is "if," not "when." I don't have data prior to 1948, but Pittsburgh had at least one day of 90°F heat for 28 consecutive years from 1948 though 1975. Oddly enough, it was then blanked in seven of the next 29 years (1976, 1979, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2003, 2004). Ironically, Pittsburgh also had at least one day of 100°F heat in two years during that same period of time (1988, 1995), and those were its first years of 100°F heat since the 1930s!
There have been at least two days of 90°F heat in Pittsburgh for nine consecutive years since 2005, and at least 10 days of 90°F heat in five of those nine years (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012). However, the hottest it got in 2013 was 91°F despite cities to the east and west all getting much hotter. So now that Pittsburgh has already missed out on the first heat wave of 2014 in the eastern United States, and given its odd temperature history between 1976 and 2004, it's fair to ask: Will Pittsburgh reach 90°F in 2014? (If so, when?)
NOWData. Problem solved. Although the official station was effectively downtown in the 1930's and before, and, having held that discussion before (too lazy to provide link), climatology-wise, comparing KPIT (I'm going out on a limb to say even KAGC) to downtown in summer is a bad idea.
Some results for the geographically most similar COOP to downtown that keeps temp data, albeit intermittently
Note the 46 days in 1999 and 37 in 1995, compared to 16 and 27 at PIT respectively. Dunno if it's equipment issues.
BTW --- Boston hasn't hit 90 yet either. lol. I was going to start a thread like this for them but I didn't want to flood the forum with these. Plus they most likely will hit early this week anyway.
Pittsburgh has a chance at it next 3 days. If they don't hit it by Wednesday this week next chance comes after mid month
Here's latest GFS data for PIT
90F = 32C.
Last edited by Cambium; 06-29-2014 at 04:59 AM..
Reason: GFS Data Finally finished loading
I hear people from Chicago say that having official weather observations at KORD artificially deflates the temperatures in the summer, but I wonder if it's even worse at KPIT? Notice how only two of the nine years without a 90° day in Pittsburgh came before the National Weather Service started having official observations there. I do think elevation has to make some difference, considering the elevation near the rivers is about 800' above sea level, versus 1,200' above sea level at KPIT.
It makes me wonder if Pittsburgh was robbed of 100° days in 1948, 1953, 1954 and 1966 too. I'm sure it was in at least one of those years. Since 1900, Pittsburgh has had at least one 100° day in 1900, 1911, 1918, 1936, 1988 and 1995. Notice the absence of 100° days for 51 consecutive years, and the current streak of 19 years, which is longer than any streak prior to KPIT. It's as if the move to KPIT instantly whacked two degrees off every day of heat in Pittsburgh.
I hear people from Chicago say that having official weather observations at KORD artificially deflates the temperatures in the summer, but I wonder if it's even worse at KPIT? Notice how only two of the nine years without a 90° day in Pittsburgh came before the National Weather Service started having official observations there. .
Not too sure but I know they use the official station at the location before they moved to include with the data. Same for Northern CT (BDL) That location didn't start until 1954 but they use some of Hartfords data before then.
Pittsburgh ACG started 1935 and ended 1952 that's when PIT came about. I'm not sure which location they are using pre 1935.
Isn't it fun when you realize what goes on or what's involved with the data? General public doesn't understand that or the implications of it..
Not too sure but I know they use the official station at the location before they moved to include with the data. Same for Northern CT (BDL) That location didn't start until 1954 but they use some of Hartfords data before then.
Pittsburgh ACG started 1935 and ended 1952 that's when PIT came about. I'm not sure which location they are using pre 1935.
Isn't it fun when you realize what goes on or what's involved with the data? General public doesn't understand that or the implications of it..
There are various stations in the U.S. designated climate reporting stations (part of the climate network). Stations with long histories in climatological records have had numerous changes in the locations over time....but once airports were built most climatological sites moved to them as the FAA needed weather instrumentation and observations for airlines to fly. Thus you see many climate network stations being at airports. Not all, but many. For example, in Fargo.... the original data station started in the 1880s with roof top sensors in Moorhead MN (twin city across the Red River).....thus you can imagine winds may have been too high and high temps too warm in the summer. Then over time moved to the post office in Fargo, then moved to the airport in the 1940s and the weather bureau started an office in the late 40s or 50s there. And since then Fargo airport has been the climate station. Manual obs were done until automated sensors came in and replaced humans in the 1990s.
I off hand dont know the Pittsburgh story, but it would be common to have early observations more in downtown locations (in this case the river valley) and then possibly move to an airport....then if a new airport was built it was moved to that location such as Pittsburgh where the automated equipment is.
Most observations are where are more so controlled by the FAA. The NWS doesnt have the money to fund all these other stations out there by themselves. Now....there is the cooperative observing network and many of these stations have been in the same spot for many years and sometimes can be a better source of continuity in observations. But many observers are now quite old, and retiring and finding replacements in that same general area very difficult. Not to mention the expense of maintaining equipment the NWS funds along with personnel (pay checks). So in its place has been talked about an automated station network or in its place the volunteer CoCoRahs network, but its data can be questionable as there is little standard place to place.
And yes if only the public knew how data is changed here and there to fit a curve....NCDC will often adjust temps a bit to remove unusual readings.
And speaking of NWS funding....the NWS funding for its offices is on a shoe string budget... some offices have to ask personnel to pay for paper plates, cups.....take collections for a new microwave....etc NWS may be bloated at the top but not in the operational realm. It is a bit better now since a budget was actually passed as we can hire...but NWS higher ups always look at whatever they can to automate processes to then try to reduce personnel at the office to the lowest possible number and then use overtime to make up the difference when busy weather hits.
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Love reading about stats and data especially from a legit source.
