Rain, cooler temperatures following hot September

It was a darn near balmy September, but it can’t last forever.

September saw nary a drop of rain.

According to Terry Foley’s PowellWeather.net, Powell had gone 26 consecutive days without precipitation as of Wednesday.

According to data from the Powell Field Station, the mean precipitation for the month of September, from 1981 to 2015, was 0.67 inches.

Powell’s average maximum temperature for the month of September is 79 degrees. The average minimum temperature is 46 degrees, said Dave Lipson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Riverton.

The highest high in September was 91 degrees. And the lowest low was 37, according to Lipson’s data.

Also, according to Lipson’s numbers, it didn’t drop below freezing in September.

Are we in for a mild fall/winter?

With a strong El Niño the winter may be a bit dry in this part of the country, Lipson said.

A National Weather Service three-month weather outlook predicts an equal chance of above, normal or below temperatures and precipitation.

Some maintain an agriculturist’s log.

Beryl Churchill of Powell, who farms with her husband, Winston Churchill, keeps a sort of farmer’s diary.

“Usually, I record temperatures in my diary,” she said.

“Sept. 7, 2008: Freeze. Didn’t do the beans much good,” Churchill quoted from her diary. “Sept. 4, 2009: 90 degrees ... Sept. 6, 2013: hard rain... Sept. 12, 2014: hard freeze.”

“After the first of September, we expect to get a freeze,” Churchill said.

Churchill said her greater concern is wet weather hampering the harvest.

It has been a warmer September than usual.

“A nice dry September helps get the beans and grain off the fields,” Churchill said.

Flora is still flourishing this fall.

Gardeners have enjoyed a extended warm weather reprieve. Tomatoes are still ripening on vines, said Joyce Johnston, horticulturist for the University of Wyoming Extension Service.

“The herbs are gorgeous right now,” Johnston said, referring to homegrown herbs like oregano, basil, sage, thyme, parsley and mint.

Johnston offered a tip for herb growers: Pull the herbs out of the garden and hang them by the roots in the garage for storage until they’re needed for seasoning.

One more Johnston pointer: Water both coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs monthly through the winter.

Fall is a little more radiant this year.

Cooler weather has killed off some insects, but it has not been so cold as to keep flowers out of bloom.

“The dahlias all around town are beautiful right now,” Johnston said. “Asters are very nice too.”

The Indian summer was golden last year until it caught people off guard in November when the temperature took a nosedive.

On Sunday, Nov. 9, the low was in the mid 40s. By Wednesday, Nov. 12, it hit 10 degrees below zero.

Johnston’s concern is folks will be lulled into a false sense of cozy security and then the frigid ax will fall. She said she believes the cold is coming, so be prepared.

Enjoy the warm temperatures while they last, but rain gear might be in season.

For the next few days, the service is predicting lows in the low 40s, but the chance of showers begins today (Thursday) and continues through the weekend.