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January 2024 Sunshine State Stats

In January 2024, the monthly average high temperature dropped one degree while the average low fell 5 degrees from December as winter’s chill strengthened its grasp of Central Florida. The average high temperature of 70 degrees and low of 49 degrees nearly match the “normal” for January (71/49), as recorded at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE).

Reported rainfall at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) decreased over 2 inches from December’s total, amounting to 2 inches versus 4.35 inches last month. This total is below the January normal precipitation level of 3.32 inches. Measurable precipitation occurred on 12 of 31 days, with the rainiest day occurring on January 9, when just .57 inches fell.

The month of January recorded its highest temperature of 84 degrees on the 27^th and the lowest daily recorded temperature occurred on the 21^st, when the mercury bottomed at 34 degrees.

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport occurred on three days in January. WeatherSentry recorded 155 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on January 9, 25 strikes on January 16, and 7 strikes on January 27.

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

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com

Cloud to Ground Lightning – January 9, 2024

Cloud to Ground Lightning – January 16 & 27, 2024

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. As days and evenings become cooler during these winter months, many homes utilize heating instead of air conditioning. Depending on one’s heating system and the fuel used to produce heat (electricity or gas), homeowners may experience higher-than-expected energy costs at this time of year.

Now is a good opportunity to consider having seasonal maintenance performed on your HVAC system. Also, be sure to check your thermostat settings to properly update them for these cooler months. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

February forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for February 2024 begins with sunny skies and cool temperatures in the first two weeks. The outlook for February 15-18 suggests rainy weather with milder temps, while February 19-24 looks to return to sunshine with cold temps changing to warmer temps. The projection for the final 4 days of the month is a period of rainy weather accompanied by mild temperatures.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In November 2023, the monthly average high and low temperatures each dropped seven degrees from October. The average high temperature of 76 degrees, versus 83 in October, matched the decline of the average low temperature, which fell to 58 degrees versus 65 degrees last month. Rainfall reported from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) increased by 1.93 inches over the October total of 1.41 inches, topping off at 3.34 inches for the month.

The 2023 Hurricane Season has concluded, and with only Hurricane Idalia striking Florida directly, most Floridians can be grateful. Unfortunately, for parts of northern Florida, the restoration effort will continue for some time ahead.

Measurable precipitation occurred on 8 of 30 days, with the rainiest day occurring on November 16, when 2.29 inches fell—that is 69% of the monthly total! The monthly precipitation total of 3.34 inches is nearly one-half inch more (.46 inch) than that which fell during the same month last year at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). There were no reported cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within the 15-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport in November.

The seasonal cooling of temperatures was evident during the month, as 15 days experienced highs in the 70s, 11 days reached the 80s, three days were held to highs in the 60s, and one day, November 28, recorded its high as 57 degrees. The lowest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in November was 42 degrees, achieved on the last two days of the month, November 29 and 30.

Many members in SECO Energy’s service area likely considered adjusting their thermostats to combat the cold snap of late November. SECO reminds all that 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, and heating becomes the primary consumer of HVAC energy demands, it may be a good time to consider ways to minimize the impact of increased heating costs. Our latest issue of SECO News (December) features an article on “Winter Energy Efficiency,” by SECO District 8 Board Trustee Bill James. Take a moment to review some timely tips here.

November forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for December 2023 indicates a probability of scattered showers and chilly temperatures in the early part of December, followed by mostly sunny and cool weather in the second week, concluding with two weeks of contrasting characteristics: rainy and mild, then rainy and cold. Expect near-average temperatures of 66 degrees (about 1 degree higher than average), and precipitation that will total 3.5 inches, which is 1 inch above average for December.

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

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

October 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In October 2023, the monthly average high and low temperatures each dropped significantly from the early “shoulder” season temperatures of September. The average high temperature of 83 degrees, versus 90 in September, matched the decline of the average low temperature, which fell to 65 degrees versus 72 degrees last month. Rainfall reported from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) decreased considerably, amounting to only 1.41 inches compared to 4.78 inches in September.

The 2023 Hurricane Season is coming to a close at the end of November, and only Hurricane Idalia has hit Florida directly. While most can breathe a sigh of relief, the restoration of damaged property and infrastructure in northern Florida will continue.

Measurable precipitation occurred on 5 of 31 days, and the highest accumulation was just .63 inches, on October 11. The monthly precipitation total of 1.41 inches is .26 inches more than that which fell during the same month last year at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE).

Thunderstorm activity within a 20-mile radius of Leesburg International Airport amounted to just 37 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on a single day, October 12.

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

October 12, 2023

Data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com

The moderating temperatures were consistent during the month, as the mercury touched 90 degrees only once, on October 5. The lowest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in October was 51 degrees (on October 18).

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, some homes may 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, be sure to check your thermostat settings to properly update them for the cooler months ahead. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

November forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for November 2023 appears to suggest higher-than-average temperatures resulting in a monthly average of 74 degrees (about 6 degrees higher than average). Occasional scattered showers are predicted, but sunny days will outweigh the cloudy ones.

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

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

September 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In September 2023, the monthly average high and low temperatures each dropped by four degrees as the onset of autumn delivered some relief from the intense heat of summer. The average high temperature of 90 degrees, versus 94 in August, matched the decline of the average low temperature, which fell to 72 degrees versus 76 degrees last month. Rainfall reported from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) increased over August by only 9 one-hundredths of an inch, totaling 4.78 inches.

Central Florida has been spared from major hurricane punishment. So far this season, Hurricane Idalia has been the only major hurricane to impact Florida directly. The National Hurricane Center states that despite this, “tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin was generally above normal in September.” Seven named storms were formed, with one (Lee) becoming a major hurricane. Fortunately, Hurricane Lee became a category 5 hurricane far north of Florida.

Measurable precipitation occurred on 14 of 30 days, and the daily rain total rose above ½ inch only twice. The monthly precipitation of 4.78 inches is below the total for the same month last year when 7.25 inches fell at Leesburg International Airport (KLEE). Thunderstorm activity was heavier in the first two weeks of the month than in the second half, as noted in the Lightning Archive Report below (data and charts provided by weathersentry.dtn.com).

Week 1: 9/1 – 9/8 3675 strikes	Week 2: 9/8 – 9/15 2631 strikes
Week 3: 9/15 – 9/22 438 strikes	Week 4: 9/22 – 9/30 2177 strikes

The declining temperatures were evident as September wore on, as the high did not exceed 90 degrees during the last ten days of the month. The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in September was 94 degrees (on September 11, 14, and 15), and the lowest was 63 – 10 degrees lower than the lowest in August – occurring on September 23, 2023.

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. Electric pool heaters will be working harder to maintain summer-like temperatures now. As evenings become cooler, the electricity needed to elevate the warmth of the pool water rises. If your use of a heated pool is diminishing, it may be cost-effective to turn the heater off until the pool is expected to be in use again.

This next month may be a good time to consider using ambient air to cool your home. Cool evenings can be a dollar-wise way to bring outdoor comfort indoors. Also, be sure to revisit your thermostat settings to take advantage of savings opportunities presented by moderating temperatures. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

October forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for October 2023 presents a monthly average temperature in the mid-seventies with precipitation totals (3.5 inches) about 1 inch lower than average. Look for thunderstorms accompanying mild weather in the first week, a few showers with cooler days in the second week, followed by isolated showers in week three. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that October will conclude with a week of sunny days with mild temperatures.

We may have passed the statistical peak of hurricane season—September 10—but the season does not end until November 30. Take inventory of your emergency supplies and stay aware of long-range weather forecasts that may indicate tropical storm formation in the Atlantic.

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

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

August 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In August 2023, the average high and low temperatures rose slightly from July’s figures. The average high temperature rose 2 degrees, to 94, and the average low inched 1 degree higher than July, settling at 76 degrees. Rainfall reported from Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) decreased significantly from the month prior.

Central Florida escaped much of Hurricane Idalia’s impact, which devastated coastal areas north of SECO Energy’s service territory. While measurable precipitation occurred on only 10 of 31 days, late afternoon thunderstorm activity maintained its presence throughout the month. August 2023 rainfall totaled 4.69 inches, 3.59 inches less than the total rainfall in July.

The average temperature for August 2023 was 85 degrees (1 degree higher than last month’s average), yet the daily high temps hit 90 degrees or above on all but one day. The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in August was 98 degrees and the lowest was 73 – matching the highest daily recorded temperature in July, and exceeding July’s lowest by 1 degree.

For most of August, the entire state of Florida was under heat advisories or excessive-heat warnings. As the heat index in many parts of Central Florida topped 110 degrees, on Sunday, August 13, SECO Energy recorded an instantaneous system peak of 984.3 megawatts at 5:00 p.m. This peak load shattered the previous record of 949 set in July 2023.

HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes, accounting for an average of 35 to 40% of kWh usage. This next month may be a good time to consider revisiting your thermostat settings to take advantage of savings opportunities presented by moderating temperatures. The energy-efficient thermostat setting during hotter months is 78 degrees and during colder months it is 68 degrees.

What are Cooling/Heating Degree Days?

Cooling Degree Day (CDD) scores represent the difference between the mean temperature for a given day (the high temp + the low temp, divided by 2) and 65 degrees. A positive number represents a Cooling Degree Day and the higher the number, the further the mean temperature was from 65 degrees. In colder months, there are days where the difference between the mean temperature and 65 degrees is a negative number. This represents a Heating Degree Day (HDD). In August, the monthly CDD score was 628. By contrast, the April 2023 CDD was 292, while there were no HDDs recorded.

September forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

The weather outlook for September 2023 indicates a monthly average temperature in the lower 80s with precipitation totals about 2 inches lower than average. Look for scattered showers and a few thunderstorms throughout the month with some noticeable periods of partly cloudy days mixed in.

The Atlantic hurricane season enters its final two months, and the updated storm predictions from Colorado State University suggest we may still experience an “above-normal season.” Read the details in the September SECO News.

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.

July 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In July 2023, both the average high and low temperatures rose from June’s figures. Rainfall increased nearly 24% from the month prior as Central Florida weather continued its steamy path through summer. While tropical storm formation remained quiet, local rain and thunderstorm activity was busy, and measurable precipitation occurred in 17 out of 31 days. After the first five days of July pushed highs at or above 95 degrees with no rain, a seasonal pattern of afternoon storms became more predictable.

While the average temperature for July 2023 was 84 degrees (3 degrees higher than last month’s average), there is no denying that the month was boiling hot. There are claims that this may be the hottest month ever recorded. Heat indices soared to 110 degrees in some parts of Central Florida and even reached the 120-degree mark in South Florida and other states. The average high was 92 degrees, while the average low was 75 degrees.

With steady temperatures in the hot to boiling range, members’ kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage has likely increased as they utilize their HVAC use to combat rising summer temperatures. HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average. Read August SECO News for advice on a summer HVAC tune up.

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in July was 98 degrees and the lowest was 72 – the highest daily recorded temperature in June was 96 degrees and the lowest was 66. July 2023 rainfall totaled 8.28 inches, versus 6.75 inches in June. Precipitation was most active in the second and third weeks.

August forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Look for isolated showers and scattered thunderstorms throughout the month and 2” lower-than-average rainfall. Temperatures will begin to moderate toward the end of the month resulting in a projected average temperature of 83 degrees.

The Atlantic hurricane season enters its third month, and some storm predictions are shifting. Colorado State University released a mid-season projection that now suggests we may experience an “above-normal season” with 18 named storms, nine of which may become hurricanes, and of those nine, four could becoming major, Category 3,4, 5 storms.

Keep your eyes on the tropics for early signs of disturbances that could strengthen and impact Florida. Now is the time to gather your hurricane/emergency supplies. Review our Hurricane Handbook for a list of supplies, and what actions to take before, during and after a storm. Remember, supplies sell out quickly once a storm is forecast to affect our area.

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.

June 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In June 2023, temperatures and rainfall moved upward from May as summer arrived with days of intense heat and heavy precipitation. The rainfall total for the month was 6.75 inches, which was an increase of 3.25 inches over May’s tally, and over twice the amount measured one year ago. June featured an increased pattern of afternoon thunderstorms, and Tropical Storms Arlene, Bret and Cindy formed but none had a significant impact on Central Florida.

The average temperature for June 2023 was 81 degrees, which was 5 degrees higher than last month’s average. The average low was 72 degrees, a 4-degree increase over May, and the average high temperature jumped from 86 degrees in May to 90 degrees in June. With afternoon temperatures routinely settling at and above 90 degrees, members will likely experience increased kilowatt hour (kWh) usage as HVAC use becomes more frequent in combating sweltering heat. HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average.

The heat index – the apparent temperature or what the temperature feels like when combined with relative humidity – climbed in June 2023. The heat index for most of Central Florida in late June was between 100 and 110 degrees. In small pockets, the heat index rose to 110 to 120 degrees (source: National Weather Service).

The lowest recorded temperature in June was 66 degrees, while the highest daily recorded temperature was 96 (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station). Daily high temperatures reached 90 degrees or higher nineteen times in June. The highest daily recorded temperature in May was 93 degrees and the lowest was 60.

July forecast:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac projects warm temps and scattered thunderstorms to persist throughout July in our area, with temperatures becoming milder in the third week of the month. Temperatures are forecast to average 84 degrees and precipitation is predicted to total 6 inches—one inch below average.

As usual, Atlantic hurricanes can and do appear during the June to November season. Keep your eyes on the tropics for early signs of disturbances that could strengthen and impact Florida. Take time to gather your hurricane/emergency supplies now, not later. Review our Hurricane Handbook for a list of supplies, and what actions to take before, during and after a storm. Remember, supplies sell out quickly once a storm is forecast to affect our area.

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.

May 2023 Sunshine State Stats

In May 2023, both the average temperature and rainfall increased slightly over April’s total. May continued the expected trend toward typical Florida summer weather – afternoon thunderstorms increased, and we saw our first glimpses of storm activity in the tropics. No single day contributed a low temperature below the 60-degree mark, while eight days pushed the mercury higher than 90 degrees in what was a generally warm month in Central Florida.

The average temperature for May 2023 was 76 degrees, which was 1 degree higher than last month’s average. The average high was 86 degrees, while the average low was 68 degrees. With steady temperatures in the warm to hot range, members will likely notice increased kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage as they begin to increase their HVAC use to combat rising summer temperatures. HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average.

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in May was 93 degrees and the lowest was 60 – the highest daily recorded temperature in April was 92 degrees and the lowest was 54. May 2023 rainfall totaled about 3.5 inches – precipitation was more active in the second two weeks.

June forecast:

Look for isolated showers and a few thunderstorms as Florida’s rainy afternoons begin. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the 90s most days and drop into the low 70s in the evenings.

Atlantic hurricane season spans June 1 to November 30. Keep your eyes on the tropics for early signs of disturbances that could strengthen and impact Florida. Now is the time to gather your hurricane/emergency supplies. Review our Hurricane Handbook for a list of supplies, and what actions to take before, during and after a storm. Remember, supplies sell out quickly once a storm is forecast to affect our area.

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

April 2023 Sunshine State Stats

Spring continued to blossom in April 2023. After a warmer-than-average first week, high temps took a 4-day dip into the mid-70s in the second week. The remainder of the month featured normal high and low temps ranging between the mid-80s to mid-60s, while above-average precipitation commenced mid-April.

The average temperature for April 2023 was 75 degrees, which was 3 degrees higher than last month’s average. The average high was 84 degrees while the average low was 65 degrees. With the shifting temperatures from moderate to muggy during the month, members may notice increased kilowatt hour (kWh) usage as they used dehumidification and cooling in their homes. HVAC is the largest energy user in Central Florida homes – accounting for 35 to 40% of kWh usage on average.

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in April was 92 degrees and the lowest was 54 – the highest daily recorded temperature in March was 92 degrees and the lowest 44. April 2023 rainfall totaled about 3 inches – falling almost entirely in the second two weeks. This is 50% more than the April average of 2 inches.

May forecast: May is set to begin with a much dryer weather pattern than during April’s exiting weeks. Temperatures continue to climb steadily through the month, with highs averaging in the mid- to upper 80s, and lows hovering near the 70 degree mark. Thunderstorm activity increases as June approaches, but overall a dip in precipitation from the month prior.

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

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November forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

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November forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

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October forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

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What are Cooling/Heating Degree Days?

September forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

Online Energy-Efficiency Tools

August forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

July forecast:

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