This month to trend warmer, drier than past years

Provided by Weather Trends International

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 8/20/2010 5:15:45 AM

This month will trend as the nation's warmest in at least three years and the driest in four years.
     The first half of the month promises to provide the best opportunity for retailers to clear summer merchandise and outdoor categories in the Northwest, while the second half of the month will be favorable in the central Plains and Southeast. The Southwest will trend cooler and wetter this year because of a more active summer monsoon, which will suppress demand for outdoor living categories. Tropical activity should be higher this year than last, with the greatest risk for a land-falling storm late in the month across the Gulf Coast.

Precipitation trended slightly drier, but 2009 still ranked as the sixth wettest August in more than 17 years.

     Last August, 57% of the nation trended warmer than the year prior and 47% was warmer than average. The Northeast was the most improved region, with the season's first heat wave during the third week of the month benefiting summer clearance sales. Precipitation trended slightly drier, but 2009 still ranked as the sixth wettest August in more than 17 years. The tropics were less active in 2009, a positive for retailers along the Eastern and Gulf coasts.