Heat in Delaware, August 1, 1999

A run of consecutive days with high temperatures in the 90s started in Delaware on July 23rd. It lasted as long as 16 days in some areas through August 7th. Dispersed within this run were two periods of both excessive heat and humidity: from July 23rd through July 25th and again from July 29th through August 1st. A cold front moved through the area late in the day on August 1st. This brought considerably drier air into the region. But, another effect of the drought was to produce large diurnal temperature ranges. In spite of comfortable dew point temperatures and humidity levels and another cold frontal passage on August 5th, high temperatures managed to reach 90 degrees. Another cold frontal passage on August 7th coupled with cloudy skies and some light rain on the 8th broke the string of days with 90 plus temperatures, as long as 16 days in some places. Delmarva hospitals reported a few cases of heat related injuries. The continued excessive heat and lack of rain parched non-irrigated farms across the state. Throughout the summer of 1999 there were four heat related deaths in Delaware, all occurred in July.For most places the highest temperatures during this hot spell occurred on July 23rd and July 31st. They included 99 degrees in Milford (Kent County), 98 degrees at the New Castle County Airport and 96 degrees in Georgetown (Sussex County). Shore areas had some relief from the heat as seabreezes developed along the shore. The hottest days along the shore were the 25th, 28th and August 1st.