Though temperatures will be rising into the triple digits again, the forecast says today is to be the last day in our current stretch of severe heat. While this still leaves us in the middle of a rather potent drought, next week's temperatures should give the course a chance at some recuperation before Invitational next weekend, which will bring with it more day's in the 90's!
When drought and blazing heat unite in an almost unmatched way as they have for the past week, a Superintendent's response is generally to put their head down and push through. Just as the coming break in the heat will offer the course a momentary respite, it also allows my staff and I a chance to look back and take stock of what we've just been up against. To that end, I thought I would share a few facts from the Chicago Weather Center on just how unprecedented this past week has been.
1.) Up to the current hot spell, only four years since 1871 had produced four or more daily 100s: 1934, 1947, 1953, 1988. This year (2012) is now among them.
2.) The three back to back 100-degree days just completed here--102-degrees Wednesday and 103-degree highs Thursday and Friday, all record breakers--constitute one of only three such strings over Chicago's 142-year observational record. It was 65 years ago in 1947 that we last experienced three consecutive 100-degree or higher temperatures.
3.) The opening six days of July included within the 10-day period of heat being discussed here, is the hottest in 101 years! The period from July 1-7 has produced an average temperature of 87.4-degrees in Chicago which is an extraordinary 13.8-degrees above normal!
The good news is: we made it! While there is still plenty of summer left, this particularly harrowing stretch is coming to a close. Thank you again for your patience as Grounds raced to keep up with the heat. Feel free to join us as we all heave a sigh of relief!
See you on the course!
Elliott Dowling
