By Rod Hill on 2010-05-28
It's no secret that PDX has not reached 80 degrees yet this year. While this is not a record, it is a bit unusual. The following statistics are courtesy of Mr. Steve Pierce with the local American Meteorological Society:
The string of chilly May high temperatures continues. May of 2010 has been no warmer than 76 degrees at the Portland International Airport this month. At the present time, May of 2010 is tied for the third coldest "May maximum temperature for the month" on record. The period of record for this data set is 1941-2010. If the cool wet weather continues, we may very well see our "Coldest Maximum May High Temperature" since 1991 (nearly 20 years).
Other interesting facts --- The latest date (in the spring) that the Portland airport finally reached 80 degrees for the first time of the year was on June 9th 1991 when it finally hit 80 degrees or higher. Could that record also be in reach? Along the same lines, calendar year 1954 did not feature a single high temperature above 90 degrees and only recorded 10 days that entire year above 80 degrees. It also sits alone as the only calendar year that never reached at least 90 degrees at the Portland airport. Every other year in recorded history (1941-2010) reached 90 degrees at least once during the year.
Here is the list of coldest May High Temperatures:
1962 - 70 degrees
1991 - 75
1977 - 76
2010 - 76 ??
1955 - 77
Only 12 Mays at PDX since 1949 have failed to reach 80 degrees. LUCKY US!!
Year Compares to 2005