Epi Week #31 - 2014 General Statements

Totals for both EEE- and WNV-positive mosquitoes continue to remain far below 2013 and 2012 levels, and populations of floodwater species remain low despite multiple extreme rainfall events across the state. Districts with arbovirus-positive mosquitoes have been implementing standard control responses, including larviciding of catch basins and ULV truck spraying. Levels of Coquillettidia perturbans in Plymouth County continue to be off the charts.

Weather

For Epi Week 31, temperatures were below normal by late July standards. Precipitation was generally either at or slightly below normal for the period. However, localized thunderstorms produced extreme rainfall in parts of Middlesex County on August 1st, with unofficial rainfall reports of 4-5 inches of rain coming in from the Framingham, Sudbury and Wayland region and (though the map also does not reflect this) Berkshire County Mosquito Control reported up to 11 inches of rain in some parts of the county.

Despite the cooler trend towards the end of the month, July 2014 finished above normal temperature wise, with only 4 days where temperatures exceeded 90’F. This past month did feature slightly to well above normal precipitation region wide, with some extreme one-day rainfall totals resulting from localized thunderstorms.