Tallahassee experienced another unusually hot week from Monday, Aug. 17, through Sunday, Aug. 23, with two 100-degree days, two daily heat records and an average temperature about four degrees above normal.
Official National Weather Service observations at Tallahassee International Airport show the seven-day average temperature was 86.0 degrees, compared with a date-specific 1991–2020 normal of about 82.0 degrees.
The hottest days came immediately. Tallahassee reached 100 degrees on Aug. 17, breaking the previous daily record of 99 degrees set in 1990 and 2000. The temperature reached 100 again on Aug. 18, tying the record set in 1993.
The heat persisted through the remainder of the week. Highs reached 98 on Aug. 19, 95 on Aug. 20, 96 on Aug. 21, 94 on Aug. 22 and 98 on Aug. 23. The week’s lowest temperature was 72 degrees, recorded on Aug. 20 and Aug. 23.
Rainfall, meanwhile, was limited. Tallahassee recorded just 0.16 inches during the seven-day period, compared with a normal of approximately 1.70 inches for those dates — a deficit of 1.54 inches. Measurable rain fell on only two days, with the wettest day, Aug. 19, producing 0.10 inches. Trace amounts were reported on several other days.
The broader four-week picture also shows persistent heat. For the 28 days ending Aug. 23, Tallahassee averaged approximately 85.1 degrees, about 2.9 degrees above the date-specific normal of 82.2 degrees.
Four-week rainfall totaled 6.06 inches, compared with a normal of about 7.15 inches, putting rainfall at roughly 85% of normal.
Despite substantial rain earlier in August, the month had slipped slightly below normal by Aug. 23. Month-to-date rainfall totaled 5.74 inches, compared with 5.93 inches normally. The longer-term deficit remained much larger: Tallahassee had received 29.26 inches since Jan. 1, compared with a normal 41.65 inches — a deficit of 12.39 inches, or nearly 30%.
By the Numbers
| Measure | Actual | Normal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Avg. Temperature | 86.0°F | 82.0°F | +4.0°F |
| Weekly Rainfall | 0.16 in. | 1.70 in. | -1.54 in. |
| 4-Week Avg. Temperature | 85.1°F | 82.2°F | +2.9°F |
| 4-Week Rainfall | 6.06 in. | 7.15 in. | -1.09 in. (85% of normal) |
| Month-to-Date Rainfall | 5.74 in. | 5.93 in. | -0.19 in. |
| Year-to-Date Rainfall | 29.26 in. | 41.65 in. | -12.39 in. |
About the data: Tallahassee Reports uses official NOAA/National Weather Service observations for Tallahassee. Temperature and precipitation comparisons are calculated against NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals. Weekly reports cover Monday through Sunday, while four-week comparisons cover the 28 days ending Sunday.
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