August 2012 was also the hottest August we've had in recent memory with 578 Heating Degree Days (HDDs), topping August 2011 by 18 HDDs. As a result, cumulative HHDs for the year are now 1579, 219 HDDs less than 2009, but about the same as 2005, 2007, and 2008.
Normal rainfall for August is around 0.5 inches, this year we had none. We haven't had any measurable rainfall since July 3, making August 2012 and August 2006 the driest post-bloom periods in recent memory. Cumulative 2012 season rainfall is 43.59 inches, due to the wet La Nina winter and spring conditions.
Long-range forecasting continue to show a shift toward El Nino conditions this winter. The current September forecast shows temps remaining at or above seasonal highs for most of the month, with little or no rainfall expected.
