SKYWATCH: July 2021
By Phillip Virden: Lake City, Colorado Amateur Astronomer, Cooperative Observer for 30+ years for National Weather Service, Dark Sky Coordinator for Lake Fork Valley Conservancy
June 30th Sunset
June Weather Statistics for Lake City, Colorado
Average high temperature for June was 78.1 vs 72.8 historical average.
Highest recorded temperature was 89 on June 14.
Average low temperature for June was 41.6 vs 38.5 historical average.
Lowest recorded temperature was 30 on June 2.
Average mean temperature for June was 59.85 vs 55.7 historical average.
June 2021 precipitation was 1.57” vs .79” historical average.
Thunderstorm on June 28th
On June 23, we experienced a dramatic turnaround in our Lake City weather. Until that time, we were averaging temperatures in the high 80s with very little precipitation. The evening of June 23, clouds rolled in, and a healthy thunderstorm brought .23” of much needed rain. For five more days, we got daily showers which almost doubled the average June precipitation total! On June 26, we had hail. Although cooler temperatures arrived as well, the median temperature for June was nearly five degrees above normal.
July Weather Averages
Average high temperature is 76.8.
Average low temperature is 44.7.
Average mean temperature is 60.7 (highest for the year).
Average total precipitation is 2.05”
Hail in the Town Park on June 26th
Sagittarius
The constellation Sagittarius contains an asterism known as “The Teapot”. Out of the teapot appears steam. That steam is our Milky Way galaxy!
Our Milky Way galaxy bordered on the right by Scorpius and on the left by Sagittarius.
July Sky at Night
· New Moon on July 9th; Full Moon on July 23rd.
· Summer meteor season begins from July 12 with Delta Aquarids to August 12 with the Perseid meteor shower.
· Low in the west on June 11-13 will be the crescent Moon at Mars and Venus. Saturn and Jupiter can be seen in the eastern sky later in the month. On July 23-25, watch for the Moon appearing by our two largest solar system planets.
Weekly Summer Stargazing Programs Begin
Lake City Skies will be holding stargazing sessions this summer at Windy Point and Memorial Park. They will be from 8 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. MST. People are asked to dim their headlights when the approach the site, wear warm clothing, and bring something to sit on. Bring your telescope and/or binoculars if you have them!