Slow to heat up this year

GAINESVILLE - Remember "the winter that wasn't?" As the official arrival of summer approaches (just after 7:00 EDT Wednesday evening), the question arises "Will this be the summer than wasn't"?

If the first 19 days of June are any indication, it might very well be just that but then there's a long way to go before fall.

AccessNorthGa.com records show that for the first 19 days of June this year, the highs recorded at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport were below average on 12 of those days. Compare that with last June when readings were an average of eight degrees above average during the 19-day span, ranging from 16 degrees higher than average on June 1 to one degree above average on June 17.

This year, though, the first 19 days of June averaged seven degrees below average.

Deputy State Climatologist Nyasha Dunkley said Wednesday there are many factors that influence temperature variations from year to year, so it is difficult to pinpoint just one cause.

"The CPC (Climate Prediction Center) three-month forecast still calls for increased likelihood for above normal temps for Georgia," Dunkley added.