Overall, summer cooler than average

Yuba-Sutter's dog days of summer have been less punishing this month compared to past summers.

A year marked early on by higher-than-average rainfall has produced another form of relief in high temperatures that have largely stayed lower than average this summer. High temperatures in July have averaged 95 degrees at the National Weather Service measuring station at Yuba County Airport, nearly two degrees under the 30-year average for the month.

The difference has opened up this week as daytime highs slid to 87 on Monday and Tuesday, 7 degrees below the daily average.

A stronger delta breeze effect compared to 2009 has kept the worst summer heat largely in check, according to Eric Kurth, a weather service forecaster in Sacramento. Lower air pressure over the West Coast has helped channel winds from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta northward, in a path carrying cooling winds through Sacramento and on into Yuba-Sutter.

Though the Mid-Valley's accustomed triple-digit heat has arrived eight times this month, the region has so far ducked prolonged heat waves such as the week-long string of 100-plus temperatures in July 14-20, 2009, which included a 107-degree day.

The summer's relatively moderate conditions were welcome to Brad McIntire, Yuba City's parks and recreation director, who reported a smaller demand than usual for the free caps and sunscreen the agency distributes at city-run sports events and venues.

"It's a huge peace of mind, something we're not as worried about," said McIntire, who oversees about 220 part-time workers for children's day camps, Gauche Aquatic Park and other programs. "Anything in the 80s or above with a high level of cardio (activity), the risk is always there, but knock on wood, we've been fortunate with weather this summer."

Yuba-Sutter Fair manager Regina Goody also called heat-related problems less of a threat at this year's fair, though the Yuba City venue has four air-conditioned buildings to shelter those at risk of heat stress.

Weekend temperatures are expected to reach 90 today, 91 Saturday and 95 on Sunday.

CONTACT Howard Yune at 749-4708 or hyune@appealdemocrat.com.

Robert LaHue/Appeal-Democrat Daily temperatures from AccuWeather. Temperature averages from Weather.com.