Hot and Dry

Judging by climatic conditions in the Nation's capitol, this summer has been unusually hot and dry (with the exception of the suffocating humidity) in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Thus far, temperatures (as measured by cooling-degree days) have averaged about 15 percent above normal. Even more telling, precipitation is 30 percent below normal for the year to date. Only 2 of the preceding 12 months (April and June) experienced above-average rainfall. August has been exceptionally dry, with precipitation to date a mere 9 percent of normal. Source: Washington Post, August 14, 2002.