It has been a hot summer in Atlanta, but it may surprise you that it's not even close to a record hot summer. The fact is comfortable summers in Atlanta are just rare. This is Part II of my Atlanta summer temperature analysis.

The "official" temperature for Atlanta has not always been recorded at Hartsfield Airport, because obviously there has not always been an international airport as Atlanta is an old city, est. 1837.

The city station moved around quite a bit over time. At one point it was on the roof of the Federal Building. The 1927 record book says it was taken at the Atlanta Trust Company Building at the corner of Broad and Marietta Streets. Certainly quite different than the climate at the airport.

Thanks to Pam Knox of the Georgia State Climatologist office for the following data.

Here are some stats for the airport since 1928:

Average number of days with max at or above 90 (per year not just summer) is 42.
Record is 90 in 1980, 85 in 2010, and 82 in 1954.

Average annual number of days with max at or above 95 is 9.
Record is 50 in 1954, 34 in 1980 and 1993.

Average number of days with max at or above 100 is 1.
Record is 9 in 2007 and 1980.
There are a lot of years with none so that really skews the averages.

The data shows a very skewed distribution of "hot spells" since we get a lot of streaks of just a day or two. The
record for consecutive days of 90 or above at Hartsfield is 38 days in 1986 followed by 34 in 1993.

For the CITY records (prior to Hartsfield) from 1886 to 1927, the averages and records are:
for 90+, average 28 days, highest 73 in 1925, then 55 in 1902.
for 95+, average 4, highest 30 in 1925, then 15 in 1902.
for 100+, average is 26, highest is 7 in 1925, next 2 in 1914. But of course that one year heavily influences the average, most years are zeroes.
The longest run of 90 or above in the city record was 17 days in 1925, followed by 15 in 1890.

Urbanization and the urban heat island have to be considered along with population growth and thermometer location. The difference in averages between city and airport probably has a lot to do with the growth of the city over time, and increased size and activity at the airport.

So this has been a hot summer, but it has been much hotter in the past, regardless of where you take Atlanta's temperature.

Since comfortable summers in Atlanta are rare, whatever you can do to cool your house will save you money as you try to stay comforable. Attic fans, more insulation, a new more energy-efficient air conditioning system, and cool roof tops:

On a hot summer day in Atlanta, a traditional roof can get as hot as 185 degrees!

Hot roofs contribute to the urban heat island effect, where temperatures in cities are warmer that surrounding natural areas. One way to reduce the urban heat island effect in cities is to install cool roofs, using materials that reflect heat and stay cooler than traditional roofs.

For comparison, a black roof can reach over 180 degrees and a metal roof can reach 160 degrees on a hot sunny day, whereas a cool roof will only reach a peak temperature of about 120 degrees.

And, because a cool roof transfers less heat to the building below, it can help save on air conditioning energy costs for a home or building.

If you are replacing a roof or building a home, consider using cool roofing materials. Cool roofing can be used on any building, but is especially useful when:

·         The weather is 80 degrees or hotter with clear skies for at least three months each year;
·         You use significant energy for cooling at least three months out of the year;
·         Your home or building duct system is in the attic;
·         The roof accounts for at least one-fourth of the building’s exterior surface;
·         You notice that your roof materials crack or age prematurely from sun damage.
 
Learn more about Cool Roofs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/coolroofs.htm.

Continue reading on Examiner.comCool your roof, cool your attic, cool your home - Atlanta Weather | Examiner.comhttp://www.examiner.com/weather-in-atlanta/cool-your-roof-cool-your-attic-cool-your-home#ixzz1UTYFLEGkComfortable summers in Atlanta are rare Credits:  Web imagery
Continue reading on Examiner.comAnalysis of hot summer weather in Atlanta Part II - Atlanta Weather | Examiner.comhttp://www.examiner.com/weather-in-atlanta/analysis-of-hot-summer-weather-atlanta-part-ii#ixzz1UTYvAMIG