August 2024 overall was much warmer and a little wetter than average. The average temperature was 69.7 degrees, about 3.4 degrees above average, which was the fourth warmest on record for August. Rainfall for the month across the valley varied from a little below average along the Rio Grande Gorge, to above average along the foothills.

Areas along the foothills from around Arroyo Seco, then south into the Canon area and then west towards Talpa received the most rain at about 2.50 to 3.00 inches. Much of the central part of the valley from Ranchos north into Taos and the US 64 / NM 522 / NM 150 intersection received a little above average amounts. At my northside location, rainfall totaled 2.12 inches, about a quarter of an inch above average. About the driest location was once again down near the golf course west of Ranchos where amounts of around 1.25 inches occurred (see map below).

The month started out dry with above average temperatures through the first week, with highs in the low 90s. Things cooled off some during the second week as some daily rains fell across the region, and highs dropped into the mid 70s to mid 80s. Another dry and hot spell occurred during the third week, as highs again topped out in the low 90s. Another batch of monsoon moisture brought more rain and cooler temperatures for the fourth week, with highs back down into the upper 70s to mid 80s. Spotty late day showers lingered around during the end of the month, while mainly clear nights allowed overnight lows to drop into the mid to upper 40s.

Highs during the month were about 3.1 degrees above average, with lows coming in at about 3.7 degrees above average, the fourth warmest for August. The warmest high for the month was 94 degrees on the 4th, a record for that date. Another daily record high was recorded on the 7th with 93 degrees. The month ended up with 12 days of highs above 90 degrees, tied for the third most on record for August.

The coldest high was 75 degrees on the 8th. The warmest low was 61 degrees on the 1st, which tied the record warmest low for that date, and the coldest low of the month was 46 degrees on the 31st.

Winds for the month were about average, with just a few days with strong gusts over 35 mph. The highest gust of 43 mph occurred on the 29th. There were also about 19 days during the month with thunder, which is a little above average.

Here are the actual numbers for the month at the 4 NNW Taos location…

Average Temp . . . . 69.7 degrees, +3.4 degrees above average (4th warmest)

Average High . . . . . 85.5 degrees, +3.1 degrees above average

Average Low . . . . . 53.9 degrees, +3.7 degrees above average (4th warmest)

Total rain. . . . . . . . . 2.12 inches, +0.25 inches above average

August 2024 Rainfall

AUG 2024 DAILY DATA for 4 NNW Taos

DATE	HIGH	LOW	DAILY DEP.	MON. DEP.	RAIN	REMARK
1	82	61*	+3.4	+3.4	0.05″	*Tied record warm low
2	91	57	+5.8	+4.6	Trace
3	90	54	+4.0	+4.4
4	94*	54	+6.3	+4.9	Trace	*Record warm high
5	90	58	+6.5	+5.2	Trace
6	91	56	+6.0	+5.3	Trace
7	93*	52	+5.2	+5.3	Trace	*Record warm high
8	75	59	-0.2	+4.6	0.03″
9	76	58	-0.2	+4.1	0.01″
10	78	57	+0.2	+3.7	0.19″
11	81	56	+1.5	+3.5	0.17″
12	88	55	+4.9	+3.6	0.29″
13	82	55	+2.1	+3.5	0.19″
14	84	52	+1.9	+3.4	0.04″
15	87	50	+2.4	+3.3
16	91	54	+6.0	+3.5
17	92	52	+5.7	+3.6
18	90	53	+5.1	+3.7
19	92	53	+6.4	+3.8
20	92	55	+7.4	+4.0	0.23″
21	91	57	+8.3	+4.2	0.02″
22	87	52	+4.1	+4.2
23	85	51	+2.6	+4.1	Trace
24	86	55	+5.4	+4.2	0.59″
25	77	52	-0.5	+4.0	0.15″
26	77	55	+0.8	+3.9	0.08″
27	81	49	0	+3.7	Trace
28	81	48	-0.5	+3.6	Trace
29	82	55	+3.9	+3.6	0.02″
30	81	49	+0.6	+3.5	0.01″
31	82	46	-0.4	+3.4	0.05″
AVGS/ TOTAL	85.5	53.9	69.7	+3.4	2.12″

DAILY DEP. – Departure from the long term daily average temperature

MON. DEP. – Cumulative departure from the long term monthly average temperature

PCPN – Precipitation

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