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Tag: December weather

December 2024 Sunshine State Stats

Although winter officially arrived on December 21, the month ended warmer than it started, while dry conditions continued in Central Florida. The average temperature in December was 62 degrees, 2 degrees below the normal average, and 9 degrees lower than the November average. The average high for the month was 72 degrees, 2 degrees lower than the average high in December. Likewise, the average low temperature dropped to 52 degrees, also 2 degrees lower than the average low in December. 

 

The month’s highest temperature reached 83 degrees on December 17th, and the lowest temperature, 36 degrees, was recorded on December 4th. 

 

The December 2024 rainfall totaled 1.66 inches, .99 inch less than the typical December total of 2.65 inches, and well below the 4.31 inches that one year ago. Measurable rainfall occurred on 5 days, with only two days experiencing more than .02 inch of rain. The U.S. Drought Monitor labels the entire SECO Energy service area as “Abnormally Dry.” However, parts of Marion and Citrus Counties and all of Levy County are drier and qualify as “Moderate Drought” areas as of December 25, 2024.

 

 

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC. 

 

 

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport occurred just two days. On December 11, WeatherSentry recorded 34 cloud-to-ground strikes, while a fast-moving front on December 29 generated 59 strikes. The images below indicate the location of strikes as recorded within the 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). 

 

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)
Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com
 

Cloud to Ground Lightning – December 11, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – December 29, 2024

 

 

January forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac weather outlook for January 2025 predicts a week of sunny and warm conditions with scattered showers to start the year, followed by a solid week of sunny and warm conditions. A mid-month change to rain mixed with sun and cooling temperatures foretells a very cold final six days of the month. Bundle up! 

 

The estimated average temperature for January is 61 degrees, and the expected rainfall is 2 inches, which is .5 inch below the average for the month. 

 

SECO Smart Connect Program: A New Way to Save on Your Electric Bill

Review our new SECO Smart Connect Program – this is an opportunity for members to receive bill credits for allowing SECO Energy to make brief changes to the settings on residential devices during times of peak energy demand. By enrolling approved smart device(s), members can help limit the impact on the electric grid when the most energy is being used. Residential members who enroll in the SECO Smart Connect Program will receive enrollment and seasonal incentives via bill credits based on the type of device(s) enrolled. Learn more and enroll here.

 

Protect Your Appliances

Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and electronics. SECO Energy’s Surge Mitigator™ program offers a meter-based surge arrester designed to protect large appliances, such as motors and compressors, by reducing surges at the meter before they enter your home. Members can lease or purchase the Surge MitiGator surge protection program by completing a contact form. 

December 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In December 2023, the monthly average high and low temperatures continued to drop as winter arrived on December 21. The average high temperature of 71 degrees fell 5 degrees from November’s 76-degree average, while the average low temperature of 54 degrees was 4 degrees lower than the November average low. The 62-degree overall average temperature for the month also dropped by 5 degrees from the November average.

December 2023 Sunshine State Stats

 

Rainfall reported from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) increased, totaling 4.31 inches, an increase of 0.97 inch over last month and a dramatic increase over last year’s December total of .87 inch. Measurable precipitation occurred on 6 of 31 days, with the rainiest day occurring on December 16, when roughly 2/3 of the entire month’s total (2.94 inches) fell. The month of December saw its highest temperature of 83 degrees twice, on December 2nd and 3rd. The lowest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) occurred on the final day of December, hitting 42 degrees on the 31st.

 

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport amounted to just 6 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on December 10 between 5:25 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

 

December Lightning 2023

Lightning Archive Report – 20-mile radius from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE)

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com 

 

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. As evenings become cooler, many homes begin to utilize heating instead of air conditioning. While this time of year usually presents a good opportunity to minimize electricity usage, it is also a good time to consider having seasonal maintenance performed on your HVAC system. Also, check your thermostat settings to update them for the cooler months ahead properly. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

 

January forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:  

The weather outlook for January 2024 depends on the week. The first week suggests rainy weather with colder temps, while the second week anticipates milder temperatures with sunshine. The third week returns to cold and rain, and the forecast for the last week is a combination of all: showers, then sunny and cold.

 

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools  

Log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts to check historical usage. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator. 

November 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Central Florida was impacted by Hurricane Nicole in November 2022. While Hurricane Nicole was a large storm in terms of physical size, its strength was low at a Category 1. SECO’s service territory experienced winds and increased rainfall from the late-season hurricane.

 

SECO Energy November 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

Daily high temperatures reached the high 80s at the beginning of the month before cooling into the low 70s. The average temperature for November 2022 was 71 degrees, which was 3 degrees lower than last month’s average. The average high was 79 degrees while the average low was 63 degrees.

 

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in November was 89 degrees and the lowest 50 – the highest daily recorded temperature in October was 91 degrees and the lowest 50. Thanks in part to Hurricane Nicole, rainfall in November 2022 was slightly above the average of 2.53 inches to measure 2.88 inches.

 

Daily high temperatures reached over 80 degrees 19 days in November. The fall season brought a slight cooldown to daily temperatures.

 

December forecast:

 

Expect daily highs to begin cooling slightly in December to the low 80s and high 70s. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter temperatures will be between 1 to 4 degrees below average with the coldest temperatures arriving in January.

 

HVAC use may be starting to increase as evening and morning temperatures get colder. Your HVAC is likely the highest energy user in your home. Now is the time to schedule an HVAC tune up with a qualified technician to prepare to use “heat” mode. Read December SECO News to learn more.

 

To check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.