| August 09, 2016 | No.90 |
July 2016
The Palmira Station measured 8.16 inches of rain this month. Our total for the year 2016 at the end of July is now 55.34 inches.
Thanks again to all those who contribute their monthly rain data. Here are the totals for Jul7 2016 from various District of Boquete areas.
Rainfall for July 2016 |
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Area |
Contributors |
July |
Total 2016 |
El Santuario |
Terry Zach |
9.6 |
40.48 |
Jaramillo Abajo |
Sela Burkholder |
8.64 |
57.33 |
Jaramillo Arriba |
Steve Sarner |
12.08 |
70.36 |
Brisas Boquetenas |
Austin Perry |
9.40 |
79.76 |
Los Molinos |
Fred Donelson |
15.00 |
70.78
|
Los Naranjos |
Craig Bennett |
n/a |
n/a |
Valle Escondido |
Mark Huehnergard |
n/a |
n/a |
Lucero (Cielo Paraiso) |
Michael Mullin |
12.38 |
90.42 |
Palmira Abajo |
Clyde Page |
8.06 |
n/a |
Palmira Abajo |
Betty Gray |
7.27 |
n/a |
Palmira Arriba |
Lloyd Cripe |
8.16 |
55.34 |
n/a = not currently available but will be posted when available |
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The highest rainfall was at Los Molinos again with 15.00 inches. The lowest was again at Palmira Abajo with 8.06 inches. As usual, we see considerable variance in rainfall within the District of Boquete.
Is the rain for the month of July more or less than normal? Based upon the data I have collected from 2007 to the present at the Palmira Station our 8.16 inches in July is a bit low but within normal ranges. If we study the graph of average monthly rainfall there is an average of 12.88 inches (Standard Deviation 8.63) with a range between 2.79 to 31.02 inches noted for the months of July. So our 8.16 inches for July of 2016 is a bit lower than average but well within the range we have had in the last 10 years.
I think our overall rain for 2016 is better than last year at this time and is well within average ranges.
The latest ENSO Cycle Report is still saying that "La Niña is favored to develop during August-October (ASO)2016, with about a 55-60% chance of La Niña during the fall and winter 2016-17..."
The IRI (International Research Institute for Climate and Society) (select South America from the Region menu) is reporting the following precipitation predictions for August-September-October of 2016. Note that they are not making any predictions specific to Panama but areas around Panama are predicted to have above normal average precipitation.
ETESA's, hydrology and meteorology section is predicting a strong probability that the Chiriqui area will have generally normal precipitation during the month of August 2016. You can read their report and check out the details for May in the documents section at this link.
Caribbean Hurricane Earl hit Belize a few days back. In case you missed it, here is a link to information about it.
The ITCZ is directly over us right now with lots of moisture. We may get considerable precipitation over the next few days. The current infrared Satellite image (080916) is quite colorful indicating lots of moisture and high clouds and thunderstorms along the ITCZ. Note that further north are some heavy duty cloud systems.
I have been busy the last few days recovering from a computer crash. Thanks to many hours, dollars and some help from Juan Arauz, things are finally back to normal. All of this delayed the writing of this update and getting it out to you but such are vicissitudes of life in Paradise.
The computer runs 24/7 and has done so for the last 10+ years to provide you this service. There have been several major crashes over that time but with effort they get corrected and this labor of love continues. My hair has gotten thinner and grayer. One positive aspect of this is that it keeps me out of the rain, out of trouble away from the bars and reduces wear-and-tear on the umbrella!
Lloyd Cripe