FORECASTING: If you think it has been cool and dry this month, you’re right.  Through July 30th the average temperature in Green Bay is 65.4° which is placing it 3rd inthe Top 5 coolest Julys in recorded weather history…a period of 120 years.  Meteorologist Doug Higgins has a look back at the highs and lows of the month. 

The Top 5 Coolest Julys in Green Bay

We all know how dry it has been by just looking at our brown lawns.  For the month Green Bay is running about a 2 inch deficit.  It will probably go down as the tenth driest July ever. 

FAMILY: We’re expecting an addition to the Petoniak family.  I announced it on the air today that my wife and I are expecting a baby girl to join Jake and Henry.   Rachel’s reaction was, “What are you thinking?” and sometimes I wonder.  Those times are when the boys are wrestling on the couch and both of their glasses are getting bent for the hundreth time while Dad is trying to remain calm and not yell like a raving maniac.  (Because I think the neighbors can hear when the windows are open in the summer)  But I’m really looking forward to having a little girl.  My wife Sarah is thrilled to find out that she won’t be as outnumbered at our house anymore.  She actually has it pretty good though…all the boys are already trained to put the seat down on the toilet.   Henry and Jake came up to the station to visit our new building yesterday with mom.  They were eating a ring pop which changes the color of lips, tongue and teeth.  Rachel felt the urge to get their picture.  It looks like Henry is trying to look at his tongue too.  Can you say, “where’s the toothbrush?” 

Henry & Jake show off multi-colored tongues

Have a great weekend!

We didn’t get much rain overnight but there’s still a good chance for showers today.  Looking at the bright side…there will be chances for rain each of the next 6 days with the weather computer models showing Friday’s storm that drops in from the northwest will have the most promise for soaking rain.

StormTrackerX Rain Totals through early Wednesday Morning

Severe Weather is expect in a small section of the country today…parts of Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.

Storm Prediction Center issued this severe weather outlook for today

 Fried Bologna Sandwiches:  I was laughed at by Rachel and Amy the other day when I mentioned I liked fried bologna sandwiches.  Of course they admitted to never having eaten this culinary treat so I don’t think they can make a true assessment.  Judging by the e-mails I recieved, it turns out there are more of you fried bologna lovers out there.  Jess & Pat write: “Hi Pete,  Just to let you know there are a lot of us secret fried bologna sandwich eaters. We don’t tell everyone about this….due to the laughter you had to endure today. I’m 67 years old and have been enjoying my fried bologna sandwiches all my life. The naysayers don’t know what their missing! ” Donna wrote:  “Just to let you know you are not the only one with good taste! I love fried balogna sandwiches and my favorite candy bar is CHUNKY!  I have been eating them since they were a nickle! I am 58yrs. ..forever watching” …  Now these are people with obvious good taste if you ask me. How about you?  Do you like fried bologna? Maybe we can get Amy to make some on “Living With Amy”

I hope you had a great weekend.  I did a lot of work outside around the house…took out a few overgrown bushes and a couple of small trees too.  Had a bee hover around my head for what seemed like an hour but was just a few minutes.  Tried to get away but had to cover my head with my t-shirt and run into the street before it left.  Gave my wife a laugh.  I got a chance to watch the British Open too.  Did you groan as loud as I did when Tom Watson missed that 8-footer; sooooo close and yet.

We may finally get some relief from the dry conditions and brown grass we have here in NE Wisconsin.  According to the latest drought information, most of the area is “abnormally dry” and the next step would be “moderate drought” …the northwestern part of the state is already experiencing “severe drought” conditions.  Click here for more on Wisconsin drought conditions.  The first chance we have of getting some rain will be tomorrow and into Wednesday.

Rain will be moving in from the west tomorrow night

Temperatures will still be below normal for most of the week but nothing like we had at the end of last week.  Many area cities set records Friday for the lowest maximum temperature of the day.

Record Low Maximums were achieved and tied in many area cities

Have a great day!

We’re 20° below our normal high for today in Green Bay and NE WI. This will probably be a record-breaking day for many cities in the area for the lowest maximum temperatures.  The current record in Green Bay is 66° set in 1924; in Appleton it’s 70° last set in 1939 and in Oshkosh the record is 65° set in 1939.  For other cities check the map below. 

These records may fall today

These cool conditions are the result of an upper level low pressure area spinning to the north which is feeding in clouds and cool air.  Eventually the system will move to the east but we can expect another cool day Saturday before sunshin on Sunday.

Stubborn System keeps us cloudy and cool

When you look back at the year as a whole, we have actually been quite cool.  Taking it month by month shows that temperatures were above average only in the month of February.  See more here

Have a great weekend and I’ll talk to you Monday!