Eight temp records set so far in ’12

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This year has been one for the record books. Since the start of 2012, Mitchell has set eight daily high temperature records according to the National Weather Service.

The average high temperature in that time was 45 degrees in Mitchell, nine degrees above the historical average for the period.

The year kicked off with some unseasonably warm and dry weather.

January brought two record high temperature days: Jan. 4 at 58 degrees, and Jan. 5 when it reached 68 degrees.

The Jan. 5 mark set a record for highest-ever recorded temperature in Mitchell during the month.

The average daily high temperature in Mitchell during January was 37, well above the historical average of 28.

February did not set any records for daily temperatures, but the average temperature was 39 degrees for the month, five degrees higher than the historical average.

March has set six daily high temperature records so far. They came on March 10 at 76 degrees, March 13 at 82 degrees, March 16 at 84 degrees, March 17 at 80 degrees, March 18 at 88 degrees and Monday, when it reached 85 degrees.

The average temperature in Mitchell during March has been 63 degrees, much higher than the historical average of 45.

While the stretch of warm weather this March is odd, it is not unprecedented. During May 1934, 11 daily high temperature records were set. During a four-day stretch between May 28 and 31 of that year, high temperatures fluctuated between 103 and 108 degrees.

More warmth is in the forecast this weekend. A high of 82 is forecast for Saturday (the Mitchell record for that day is 90), and a high of 84 is forecast for Sunday (the record high for that day is 88).

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