Every Monday morning, city Parks and Recreation workers can pretty much rely on coming to the office, logging on to their computers, and dealing with a pile of e-mails about overflowing garbage at the city's parks.

It's a new thing this summer.

Last year, the public rarely reminded them to pick up.

To rec workers, the extra trash means the parks are in overdrive. It's further evidence of the unusually sunny skies and warm temperatures Anchorage is enjoying this summer. So far, there have been 13 days 70 degrees or over.

Compare that to last year's two days.

This summer is on track to be one of the warmest and driest since 1915, when record keeping began. So far July is the fifth warmest and driest ever. And, measured from May 1 to July 21, this summer is the 13th warmest and 14th driest on record. So far.

The past few days have made some people skittish that it might be over. Clouds have crept in. Rain is falling. Fear not, meteorologists say. While the forecast for the week calls for rain, the long-range forecast says August is going to be warm.

The weather has construction workers grateful they don't have to race rain storms, backyard gardeners rejoicing over their geraniums, and it's boosting business at restaurants with outdoor seating.

The pleasant weather also has psychological benefits. People are energized by the sunlight and stay awake because of it, said Francine Harbour, president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Anchorage. "Any day not a winter day makes our mood better," she said. "It's more work in the winter time. You have to scrape your (car) windows, you have to wear more clothes, you have to be more alert because of black ice because your visibility is not as good. All of those things, just think of the additional stress on the body. And we are relieved of all that in the summertime."

When we actually have summertime.

Much of the current joy may be traced to bad memories of last summer when sweatshirts and rain jackets kept flip-flops and sun dresses in the closet. The average high temperature last July was a mere 62 degrees.

So people have been picnicking, playing fetch with Fido and taking their kids to romp in the sandboxes at the city's parks. Jewel Lake and Goose Lake, popular swimming spots, have had a marked increase in use, said Beth Nordlund, deputy director of the city's parks department. Disc golf is also surging this year, she said.

Randall Hoskins, owner of American Roofing, said the weather's been fantastic for his industry. In Anchorage, he said, having to plan around the weather is usually stressful. "Normally we can't keep a schedule. We just hope for the best."

This year, though, "It's really been a treat," he said.

Gardeners, who say they aren't used to watering this much in July, seem happy to trade hose duties for the heat. "Things are doing well," said Ayse Gilbert, a local gardener.

The Anchorage airport has logged 4.2 inches of precipitation this whole year, which is 1.2 inches below normal, according to meteorologist Andy Brown. Up until a few days ago, there had been an unusual, nearly three-week-long stretch of dry weather.

Terri Ditty, assistant manager at the Peanut Farm Bar and Grill, said business is up with people streaming in on sunny days wanting a seat in the sun on the deck. "Compared to the last two summers, especially," she said. "When the weather's sunny, people get out and about."