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Friday, December 6, 2013
It Hasn't Cooled Since 1989;
Washington December Daily Low Temperature Records
Images (click to enlarge): December daily record low temperatures for Washington, DC, by year of occurrence; Number of December daily record lows per decade; CapitalClimate charts from National Weather Service data
If you can remember the last time Washington, DC set a daily record low temperature in December, you've been hanging around too long in Babble-On on the Potomac. It was the first year of the G.H.W. Bush administration when a record low of 7° was set on December 23, 1989. The high of 22° that day was also a record low maximum for the date. Since then, there have been no new December record daily lows in the decades of the 1990s, 2000s, or so far in the 2010s. The only other decade with no December cold records was the 1950s.
Here are some other statistics of Washington December low temperature records:
- Half (15) of the daily records were set over 100 years ago, from 1872 through 1904, and 2 more were set 99 years ago.
- The 1880s had the most records of any decade with 7, followed by the 1910s with 5. Interestingly, all of the 1880s records occurred in even-numbered years.
- Except for the 1980s (4 records), no decade since the 1910s has had more than 2 records.
- The all-time coldest December temperature was -13° on December 31, 1880. This was just 2° warmer than the all-time Washington low of -15° on February 11, 1899. It was also a record -7° on December 30, 1880. These are the only December dates with lows below 0°.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Rain's Early Fall Smashes Pacific Northwest Precipitation Records
September 30 Update: September monthly precipitation records have also been set in Oregon at Eugene, Hillsboro, McMinnville (second highest), Portland (downtown and airport), and Salem, as well as at Vancouver, Washington. Details have been added below.
Original post:
Driven by persistent abnormally low pressure in the northeastern Pacific, an early onset of the rainy season is smashing precipitation records for September in the Pacific Northwest. Through this morning, Astoria, Oregon had broken century-plus records for all-time wettest September (by over 1"), wettest September day (by almost 1"), and wettest 2-day and 3-day totals for September. These records were further extended by the 2.00" which had fallen through 4 pm this afternoon, tying the daily record for Sept. 29 from 1951 and bringing the monthly total to date to 10.10", which is just 0.10" less than 500% of normal.
The rainfall map above shows that large parts of coastal Oregon have seen precipitation for the month of September to date (through the 28th) which is over 400% of average, with some areas over 600%.
The map to the right (click to enlarge) shows the pressure pattern Saturday evening over North America near the middle of the atmosphere, expressed as the standard deviation of the height of the 500 mb level. There is a huge area of greater than 3 standard deviations below average along the coast and offshore of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. (Note that in a randomly distributed "bell curve", 99.7% of all observations would be within 3 standard deviations of the average.)
The National Weather Service (NWS) report for Astoria:
AS OF 11 AM THIS MORNING...OVER 5 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN ON ASTORIA AIRPORT THIS WEEKEND. THIS RAINFALL HAS SHATTERED NUMEROUS SEPTEMBER RECORDS...REMARKABLE CONSIDERING THAT RECORDS HAVE BEEN KEPT IN ASTORIA SINCE 1890. RAINFALL RECORDS BROKEN IN ASTORIA ---------------------------------------- 1. ALL-TIME WETTEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD... 1. SEP 2013......... 9.70 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1906......... 8.66 INCHES. 3. SEP 1920......... 8.55 INCHES. 4. SEP 1905......... 7.38 INCHES. 2. WETTEST SEPTEMBER DAY ON RECORD... 1. SEP 28 2013...... 3.56 INCHES. 2. SEP 16 1997...... 2.67 INCHES. 3. SEP 30 1953...... 2.41 INCHES. 4. SEP 13 1935...... 2.27 INCHES. 3. WETTEST 2-DAY TOTAL FOR SEPTEMBER...TOP 2 NOW SET IN 2013. 1. SEP 28-29 2013... 5.16 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 27-28 2013... 4.55 INCHES. 3. SEP 3-4 1913..... 3.46 INCHES. 4. SEP 16-17 1997... 3.42 INCHES. 4. WETTEST 3-DAY TOTAL FOR SEPTEMBER... 1. SEP 27-29 2013... 6.15 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 2-4 1913..... 4.31 INCHES. 3. SEP 15-17 1997... 4.16 INCHES.In Washington state, daily rainfall records were set for September 28 at Seattle-Tacoma, Olympia, Hoquiam, and Quillayute. An inspection of National Climatic Data Center records indicates that the 2.93" at Olympia was not only more than triple the old record, it was also an all-time daily record for September, well above the 1.67 on Sept. 17, 2010. Olympia records began in 1948. The NWS reports:
A RECORD RAINFALL OF 2.93 INCHES WAS SET AT OLYMPIA WA AIRPORT ON SEP 28TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 0.82 SET IN 1971. A RECORD RAINFALL OF 1.71 INCHES WAS SET AT SEATTLE-TACOMA WA AIRPORT ON SEP 28TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 0.83 SET IN 1948. A RECORD RAINFALL OF 1.78 INCHES WAS SET AT HOQUIAM WA AIRPORT ON SEP 28TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 1.02 SET IN 1962. A RECORD RAINFALL OF 1.93 INCHES WAS SET AT QUILLAYUTE WA AIRPORT ON SEP 28TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 1.32 SET IN 1971.The NWS reported on September 30 that several other locations in Washington and Oregon have set September rainfall records:
1. ASTORIA (1890)... 1. SEP 2013......... 10.51 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1906......... 8.66 INCHES. 3. SEP 1920......... 8.55 INCHES. 4. SEP 1905......... 7.38 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 2.14 INCHES. 2. EUGENE (1890)... 1. SEP 2013......... 6.16 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1927......... 5.21 INCHES. 3. SEP 1911......... 4.91 INCHES. 4. SEP 1986......... 4.65 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.29 INCHES. 3. HILLSBORO (1929)... 1. SEP 2013......... 6.10 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1945......... 3.68 INCHES. 3. SEP 1982......... 3.46 INCHES. 4. SEP 1977......... 3.43 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.26 INCHES. 4. MCMINNVILLE (1894)... 1. SEP 1996......... 7.58 INCHES. 2. SEP 2013......... 5.58 INCHES AND COUNTING 3. SEP 1901......... 4.83 INCHES. 4. SEP 1914......... 4.28 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.31 INCHES. 5. PORTLAND AIRPORT (1940)... 1. SEP 2013......... 5.06 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1986......... 4.30 INCHES. 3. SEP 1982......... 3.98 INCHES. 4. SEP 1945......... 3.96 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.47 INCHES 6. PORTLAND DOWNTOWN (1872)... 1. SEP 2013......... 6.21 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1927......... 5.52 INCHES. 3. SEP 1911......... 5.19 INCHES. 4. SEP 1969......... 4.87 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.54 INCHES. 7. SALEM (1872)... 1. SEP 2013......... 6.63 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1927......... 5.52 INCHES. 3. SEP 1911......... 5.19 INCHES. 4. SEP 1969......... 4.87 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.28 INCHES. 7. VANCOUVER, WA (1896)... 1. SEP 2013......... 4.98 INCHES AND COUNTING. 2. SEP 1911......... 4.88 INCHES. 3. SEP 1925......... 4.46 INCHES. 4. SEP 1927......... 4.35 INCHES. CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL: 1.56 INCHES.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Super Summer Soaker Phloods Philadelphia Rainfall Record;
Second Extreme in 3 Years
Images (click to enlarge): Top 10 wettest summers in Philadelphia, CapitalClimate chart from National Weather Service (NWS) data; Philadelphia precipitation percentage of normal for 90 days ending August 12, 2013, from NWS
There's a good reason if the Philadelphia Phanatic is looking greener than usual lately. After the summer rainfall record was broken just 1 day into August, another 2.02" this morning has pushed the Philadelphia seasonal precipitation total even further into record territory. With over 2 weeks left, the unofficial June-August rainfall total of 27.56" is barely less than 3" above the old record of 24.58" set just 2 years ago. The seasonal total to date is 245% of the climatological average for the entire 3 summer months.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
San Juan Swamps Century-Plus Rainfall Record
Image (click to enlarge): Puerto Rico 24-hour precipitation ending 8 am EDT, July 19, 2013, from National Weather Service
Midnight Update: The final daily rainfall for San Juan is 9.23", the second highest for any day on record.
The year-to-date rainfall total is now 185% of normal and only about 8" below the normal for the entire year. If San Juan were to tie the record low rainfall for each of the remaining 5 months in the year, it would still finish 2013 less than 1" below normal.
5 PM Update: It's baaack! With 0.67" more in this hour, the total of 9.11" is now the second highest for any day in San Juan history and a little more than half an inch from the top spot. Moderate rain continues.
4 PM Update: Rain ended with only 0.02" in the past hour, but less than half an inch in the rest of the day would make second place on San Juan's all-time daily record list. The NWS reports that more is on the way.
The monthly total of 11.64" also breaks the old July record of 11.08" just 2 years ago.
3 PM Update: Another 1.91" in the past hour brings the San Juan daily rainfall total to 8.42", which is the second highest for any summer day and the 4th highest of all time.
2 PM Update: With light rain continuing to fall, the daily total so far is now 6.51", which is the 10th highest for any day in any month. The previous top 10 San Juan daily rainfall amounts:
15-Aug 9.67 in 1944 18-Sep 8.84 in 1989 14-Dec 8.84 in 1910 10-Sep 8.20 in 1996 11-Nov 7.92 in 1931 13-Sep 7.39 in 1928 15-Apr 7.10 in 1988 25-Nov 7.07 in 1979 12-Dec 6.96 in 1981 7-Apr 6.19 in 1915Original Post:
Puerto Rico should get a lot of heavy downpours in the summer with tropical cyclones, right? Well, with no organized tropical system whatever, San Juan has just smashed its all-time July daily rainfall record. The National Weather Service reports that the 4.92" so far today has exceeded by a wide margin the old record for July 18 of 3.19", set in 1950. As of that report, heavy rain was still falling.
Today's amount is also well above the old daily record for July of 4.04" on July 7, 1901. It's only the 5th time July daily precipitation has exceeded 3" in a climate history which began in 1898.
The previous top 5 July daily rainfall amounts for San Juan, from the National Climatic Data Center:
7-Jul 4.04 in 1901 23-Jul 3.66 in 1926 18-Jul 3.19 in 1950 12-Jul 3.01 in 1905 24-Jul 3.00 in 1949
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Record Heat in Northern Maine, Eastern Canada
Image (click to enlarge): U.S. temperatures at 4 pm EDT, July 15, 2013, from Unisys
Record heat extended from northernmost Maine into eastern Canada on Monday, July 15:
- The high temperature at Millinocket of 94° tied the record for the date set in 1952.
- The 94° also at Caribou broke the record of 93° set in 1952 and tied in 1968. It was also the hottest day there since July 20, 1991. Caribou climate records began in 1939.
- The CBC reports that St. John's, Newfoundland had its second hottest temperature for any day since records began there in 1942. The 31.2°C (88°F) high was only slightly below the all-time record of 31.5°C on July 6, 1983.
Caribou also broke a record the previous day with 91°, which beat the 90° in 1943.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Record Rainfall Drenches Dulles;
Update: Rain Ransacks Roanoke Record
Images (click to enlarge): Washington, DC regional radar, 12:49 am EDT, July 12, 2013, from The Weather Channel; 24-hour precipitation ending 8 am EDT, July 13, 2013, for Washington region, from National Weather Service
2 PM EDT Update: The 3.88" a day earlier (July 10) at Roanoke smashed the daily record of 2.67" in 1931. It was also a new all-time July daily record in a climate history which began over a century ago in 1912. Daily amounts of 3" or more had been observed only twice before in July at Roanoke.
The 1.84" at Richmond also broke a July 10 record of 1.36" set just last year.
To the north, the 2.44" at Pittsburgh beat the daily record of 1.81" in 1958.
10 AM EDT Update: The preliminary July 11 record daily total rainfall for Dulles is 3.71". The 24-hour total ending at 8 am is 4.49", with some light rain continuing.
2 AM EDT Update: Dulles has added 0.22" from lighter thundershowers in the past hour for a storm total so far of 3.79". The reported month-to-date total is now 370% of normal.
Original Post:
Persistent thunderstorms Thursday evening have produced record rainfall in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. At Dulles Airport, the unofficial total of 3.61" through midnight (standard time) was over 3 times the old record for July 11 of 1.12" in 1977. Climate records at Dulles date back only a half-century to 1962, but this was also enough to beat the all-time July daily record of 3.50" on July 27, 1994.
The official climate record for Washington, DC, which began in 1871, shows that July daily rainfalls of 4" or more have occurred on at least 3 occasions:
4.69", July 9, 1970
4.35", July 22, 1969
4.25", July 30, 1878
Friday, June 28, 2013
Southwest Scorched by Historic Heat;
Update: All-Time June Records at Death Valley, Needles
Image (click to enlarge): U.S. daily high temperatures, June 28, 2013, from Unisys. Note the bright blue area of 120°+.
July 1 Update: The 129° at the aptly-named Furnace Creek in Death Valley on June 30 was a new all-time June high temperature record there. The previous record of 128° was set on June 29, 1994 and tied on the same date this year. The June 30 reading also tied the all-time June record for the U.S. which was originally set 111 years ago on June 23, 1902 in the former town of Volcano, California.
The June average temperature of 101.3° at Death Valley easily surpassed the old June record of 100.4° in 1960. The June average daily minimum of 87.1° also set a record, exceeding the 86.8° in 1977.
At Needles, California, where climate history extends back to 1888, all-time June records were set for:
- Average temperature of 95.8° (old record 94.8° in 1994)
- Monthly maximum 123° on the 29th (old record 122° on June 11, 1918 and June 29, 1924)
- Average minimum 81.5° (old record 81.0° in 1981)
June 30, 5 PM PDT Update: As of 5 pm, Las Vegas is reporting a high so far of 117°, which ties the all-time record. The preliminary monthly average of 91.5° smokes the old June record by a full degree.
June 30, 4 PM PDT Update: The current temperature of 116° at Las Vegas ties the all-time June record set on June 15, 1940. This is the third consecutive day of 115°+ at Las Vegas.
Phoenix tied its record for June 30 at 115°.
June 29, 9 PM Update: More major heat records were set today. Some preliminary highlights:
- The 115° at Las Vegas tied the record for the date.
- Needles, California hit 123°, which set a new all-time June record in a climate history extending back to 1888.
- Kingman, Arizona beat its old June all-time high by 2° in a climate record which began in 1901.
- Salt Lake City had 105° for the second consecutive day. This was a new all-time June record.
June 29, 10 AM Update: The National Weather Service has provided additional record reports for Needles and Death Valley, California and Kingman, Arizona, included in the table below.
The 115° at Las Vegas was the first time that level was reached in June since 1994. It was also the hottest June temperature at Needles since 1994. At Kingman, it was the second earliest 110° temperature; the earliest was June 16, 1917. That also ties the all-time June record.
Original Post:
It was historically hot in the desert Southwest today. Over a dozen major National Weather Service climate locations in Arizona, Nevada and interior California tied or broke temperature records for June 28, in some cases by big margins. The highest readings in absolute terms were 118° at Palm Springs, California, which tied its 1979 record, and at Yuma, Arizona. Yuma climate records began nearly 140 years ago, in 1876. The previous record of 116° was tied 3 times, but it was soundly broken by a margin of 2°. At Winnemucca, Nevada the previous record of 101° was set just 3 years ago in a climate history which dates back to 1877, but this was surpassed by an impressive margin of 4°.
Here's a preliminary summary of today's records (POR indicates first year of period of record):
July 1 Update: The 129° at the aptly-named Furnace Creek in Death Valley on June 30 was a new all-time June high temperature record there. The previous record of 128° was set on June 29, 1994 and tied on the same date this year. The June 30 reading also tied the all-time June record for the U.S. which was originally set 111 years ago on June 23, 1902 in the former town of Volcano, California.
The June average temperature of 101.3° at Death Valley easily surpassed the old June record of 100.4° in 1960. The June average daily minimum of 87.1° also set a record, exceeding the 86.8° in 1977.
At Needles, California, where climate history extends back to 1888, all-time June records were set for:
- Average temperature of 95.8° (old record 94.8° in 1994)
- Monthly maximum 123° on the 29th (old record 122° on June 11, 1918 and June 29, 1924)
- Average minimum 81.5° (old record 81.0° in 1981)
June 30, 5 PM PDT Update: As of 5 pm, Las Vegas is reporting a high so far of 117°, which ties the all-time record. The preliminary monthly average of 91.5° smokes the old June record by a full degree.
June 30, 4 PM PDT Update: The current temperature of 116° at Las Vegas ties the all-time June record set on June 15, 1940. This is the third consecutive day of 115°+ at Las Vegas.
Phoenix tied its record for June 30 at 115°.
June 29, 9 PM Update: More major heat records were set today. Some preliminary highlights:
- The 115° at Las Vegas tied the record for the date.
- Needles, California hit 123°, which set a new all-time June record in a climate history extending back to 1888.
- Kingman, Arizona beat its old June all-time high by 2° in a climate record which began in 1901.
- Salt Lake City had 105° for the second consecutive day. This was a new all-time June record.
June 29, 10 AM Update: The National Weather Service has provided additional record reports for Needles and Death Valley, California and Kingman, Arizona, included in the table below.
The 115° at Las Vegas was the first time that level was reached in June since 1994. It was also the hottest June temperature at Needles since 1994. At Kingman, it was the second earliest 110° temperature; the earliest was June 16, 1917. That also ties the all-time June record.
Original Post:
It was historically hot in the desert Southwest today. Over a dozen major National Weather Service climate locations in Arizona, Nevada and interior California tied or broke temperature records for June 28, in some cases by big margins. The highest readings in absolute terms were 118° at Palm Springs, California, which tied its 1979 record, and at Yuma, Arizona. Yuma climate records began nearly 140 years ago, in 1876. The previous record of 116° was tied 3 times, but it was soundly broken by a margin of 2°. At Winnemucca, Nevada the previous record of 101° was set just 3 years ago in a climate history which dates back to 1877, but this was surpassed by an impressive margin of 4°.
Here's a preliminary summary of today's records (POR indicates first year of period of record):
Location | Record | Previous | Date | POR | |
AZ | Flagstaff | 96 | 94 | 1990/1974 | 1898 |
Winslow | 107 | 104 | 1973 | 1898 | |
Prescott | 104 | 100 | 1990 | 1948 | |
Yuma | 118 | 116 | 1994/1990/1985 | 1876 | |
Kingman | 110 | 107 | 1914 | 1901 | |
NV | Elko | 103 | 101 | 1892 | 1888 |
Eureka | 100 | 95 | 2010/2007 | 1963 | |
Tonopah | 101 | 101 | 1956 | 1954 | |
Winnemucca | 105 | 101 | 2010 | 1877 | |
Las Vegas | 115 | 115 | 1994 | 1937 | |
Reno | 103 | 100 | 2010 | 1888 | |
CA | Bishop | 107 | 105 | 1956 | 1943 |
Palm Springs | 118 | 118 | 1979 | 1893 | |
Death Valley | 125 | 125 | 1994 | 1911 | |
Needles | 121 | 119 | 1994 | 1888 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
New York on Track for Wettest June in 145-Year Climate Record
Images (click to enlarge): June total rainfall to date for New York and southern New England from National Weather Service (NWS); 48-hour total precipitation forecast through Friday evening, June 28, from WPC/NWS
June 27 (Thursday), 10:30 PM Update: The 0.23" so far tonight brings the monthly total to 10.09", which surpasses the 10.06" in 2009 as the second wettest June on record.
Original Post:
The 0.05" of rain which fell at New York's Central Park in light showers this evening brings the month-to-date total to 9.86". This puts June 2013 firmly in position as the 3rd wettest June in a climate history which extends back to 1869. Less than half an inch now separates the current month from the June record of 10.27" in 2003. With over 1" of rain forecast for Thursday and Friday (June 27-28), the record is well within reach.
The 3 wettest Junes in New York have now all occurred in the past 11 years. The all-time wettest month was August 2011, when 18.95" fell.
June 27 (Thursday), 10:30 PM Update: The 0.23" so far tonight brings the monthly total to 10.09", which surpasses the 10.06" in 2009 as the second wettest June on record.
Original Post:
The 0.05" of rain which fell at New York's Central Park in light showers this evening brings the month-to-date total to 9.86". This puts June 2013 firmly in position as the 3rd wettest June in a climate history which extends back to 1869. Less than half an inch now separates the current month from the June record of 10.27" in 2003. With over 1" of rain forecast for Thursday and Friday (June 27-28), the record is well within reach.
The 3 wettest Junes in New York have now all occurred in the past 11 years. The all-time wettest month was August 2011, when 18.95" fell.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Early Summer Heat Krushes Kansas Records
9 PM CDT Update: The preliminary final high temperature at Goodland was 107°, smashing the old record by 7°. Other records were tied or broken in Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Original post:
Triple-digit temperatures are crushing temperature records in western Kansas this afternoon. At Goodland, Kansas, where climate records began in 1895, it was 100° on June 11, 2001, which tied a record previously reached in 1953, 1952, and also in some previous years. Today, the temperature broke that record with 101° at 1 pm CDT, 102° the following hour, 105° the next, and retreated slightly to 104° in the current hour.
At Garden City, where a new record of 105° was reported at 2 pm (old record 102° in 1953), the thermometer has kept right on soaring to 108° in the current hour.
More records will be posted as the reports become available.
Location | Record | Previous | Date | ||
AZ | Winslow | 99 | 99 | 1956/1921/1918 | |
Douglas | 105 | 101 | 1981/1956 | ||
NM | Albuquerque | 101 | 101 | 1981 | |
Clayton | 101 | 99 | 2010 | June 10 | |
WY | Cheyenne | 92 | 91 | 1956/1893 | |
CO | Colorado Springs | 97 | 93 | 1956 | |
Pueblo | 104 | 100 | 2001/1956 | ||
Denver | 100 | 95 | 1956 | ||
Burlington | 107 | 102 | 1918 | ||
Yuma | 106 | 100 | 1956 | Unofficial | |
NE | Sidney | 96 | 96 | 1956 | |
McCook | 108 | 106 | 1918 | ||
KS | Goodland | 107 | 100 | 2001/1953/1952 | |
Hill City | 111 | 106 | 1953 | ||
Garden City | 108 | 102 | 1953 | ||
Dodge City | 104 | 103 | 1977 | ||
Tribune | 111 | 102 | 2010 | Unofficial | |
Colby | 107 | 104 | 1918 | Unofficial |
Original post:
Triple-digit temperatures are crushing temperature records in western Kansas this afternoon. At Goodland, Kansas, where climate records began in 1895, it was 100° on June 11, 2001, which tied a record previously reached in 1953, 1952, and also in some previous years. Today, the temperature broke that record with 101° at 1 pm CDT, 102° the following hour, 105° the next, and retreated slightly to 104° in the current hour.
At Garden City, where a new record of 105° was reported at 2 pm (old record 102° in 1953), the thermometer has kept right on soaring to 108° in the current hour.
More records will be posted as the reports become available.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Andrea Smashes Early-Season Rainfall Records
June 8, 10 AM Update: Added Salisbury, Wilmington, Allentown, Islip, Massena, Boston, Providence. Updated totals through midnight.
10 PM EDT Update: Added Richmond, New Bern, Hartford, Bridgeport, Worcester. Updated totals through 8 pm (10 pm for CT and MA).
Original post:
Heavy rainfall associated with the pre-storm environment and Tropical Storm Andrea itself has been smashing daily rainfall records along the East Coast. At Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, the unofficial total of 5.14" is the highest so early in the season and the second highest for any day in June for climate records dating back to 1887. Based on National Weather Service preliminary record reports, daily climate reports, and hourly precipitation data, here are the records so far (all for June 7 unless otherwise noted). The rain is continuing in most locations.
10 PM EDT Update: Added Richmond, New Bern, Hartford, Bridgeport, Worcester. Updated totals through 8 pm (10 pm for CT and MA).
Original post:
Heavy rainfall associated with the pre-storm environment and Tropical Storm Andrea itself has been smashing daily rainfall records along the East Coast. At Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, the unofficial total of 5.14" is the highest so early in the season and the second highest for any day in June for climate records dating back to 1887. Based on National Weather Service preliminary record reports, daily climate reports, and hourly precipitation data, here are the records so far (all for June 7 unless otherwise noted). The rain is continuing in most locations.
Location | Record | Previous | Date | ||
NC | Fayetteville | 2.36 | 1.78 | 1930 | |
Raleigh/Durham | 5.14 | 1.24 | 1930 | ||
New Bern | 1.51 | 1.20 | 2003 | ||
VA | Lynchburg | 3.38 | 3.31 | 1989 | 6-Jun |
Roanoke | 1.77 | 1.15 | 1934 | 6-Jun | |
Blacksburg | 2.70 | 1.09 | 1961 | 6-Jun | |
Richmond | 2.67 | 1.68 | 1913 | ||
MD | Salisbury | 1.58 | 1.43 | 1913 | |
DE | Wilmington | 3.36 | 1.78 | 1916 | |
NJ | Newark | 3.71 | 1.11 | 1931 | |
Trenton | 3.51 | 1.60 | 1989 | ||
PA | Philadelphia | 3.50 | 1.79 | 1904 | |
Allentown | 1.82 | 1.19 | 1948 | ||
NY | Kennedy Airport | 4.01 | 1.18 | 2006 | |
LaGuardia Airport | 3.33 | 1.08 | 2006 | ||
Islip | 4.15 | 1.27 | 2006 | ||
Syracuse | 2.39 | 1.20 | 2010 | 6-Jun | |
NYC/Central Park | 4.16 | 1.95 | 1918 | ||
Massena | 0.72 | 0.43 | 1984 | ||
CT | Hartford | 2.53 | 1.54 | 1913 | |
Bridgeport | 4.43 | 1.36 | 2006 | ||
MA | Worcester | 2.68 | 1.75 | 2006 | |
Boston | 3.07 | 2.89 | 2006 | ||
RI | Providence | 3.23 | 3.08 | 2006 |
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Triple-Digit Temperatures Crush Northern Plains/Midwest Heat Records;
All-Time May Record at Sioux City
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov6EH6dqQC_y3pAK8zF7AgLIhM6SOSujIQ-B7Q0MM4WwOElVLjvfepK5cuymcFmRJJnO9kBb12pzb4ipRuNo7kpbbBKaIeZI1HJvefR0ct1C-U1Jo-17Kd3PyoKMtj6EKb0GVgNEy4Zc/s1200/temp_con_hi.051413.gif)
Image (click to enlarge): U.S. daily high temperatures for May 14, 2013, from Unisys
While Mid Atlantic residents were complaining about the unseasonable cold temperatures on Tuesday, heat records were being crushed in the Northern Plains and upper Midwest. As shown in the table below, triple-digit readings smashed long-standing May 14 daily records, with a margin as much as 7° at Norfolk, Nebraska. At Sioux City, Iowa, the 106° high also broke the all-time May maximum temperature record. Sioux City climate records date back to 1889. At both Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, it was the earliest 100° temperature on record, surpassing the previous records of 5/29/1934 and 5/24/1967, respectively.
Location | Record | Previous | Date | Earliest 100 | |
IA | CEDAR RAPIDS | 94 | 93 | 5/14/1932 | |
MASON CITY | 99 | 92 | 5/14/1998 | ||
WATERLOO | 96 | 94 | 5/14/1932 | ||
DES MOINES | 94 | 93 | 5/14/1988 | ||
MN | ALEXANDRIA | 93 | 92 | 5/14/2001 | |
MANKATO | 100 | 94 | 5/14/1954 | ||
MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL | 98 | 95 | 5/14/1932 | ||
ST CLOUD | 95 | 93 | 5/14/1932 | ||
ROCHESTER | 97 | 94 | 5/14/2007 | ||
NE | OMAHA | 101 | 96 | 5/14/1915 | 5/29/1934 |
NORFOLK | 103 | 96 | 5/14/1941 | ||
LINCOLN | 100 | 96 | 5/14/1915 | 5/24/1967 | |
NORTH PLATTE | 97 | 95 | 5/14/1948 | ||
SD | MITCHELL | 93 | 92 | 5/14/1932 |
The map below, from NOAA/ESRL, shows the temperature departures from average (°C) for the U.S. It shows that nearly all of the country was at least 2°C above or below average, but the positive departures significantly outweighed the negative, both in area and magnitude.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIKrwoVOKCSc4lgP5NBAiSpG7fzyv-X5dBW05cdz7Nz7AGDTFVt1o7ejfT4cm7-7Trrwn8AxzCFSP5TQx8yct4y6Ujbyn4TseayWhpXyKmLi7k42El3aEY1jGHVhCDYAl3FLmlSp9uho/s1200/temp.us.051413.gif)
The temperature extremes were a reflection of a strongly anomalous circulation pattern shown in the map below. A very strong ridge of high pressure extended from the eastern Pacific to the Great Lakes at the 500 mb level (near the middle of the atmosphere), while a deep low pressure area was located off the Mid Atlantic coast.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXghPLzrBWpJL-_gW0Jg4BGBhdM98rfFk-xDIdkdGp2L8LGs1GOLUfJ3gtvFsPVBqhRnFxh9lZvcd4UjQZI3Qm3Q6DpyuXu5ulBVnpsVhoanxKw0wbJIw1AY5eWn9wu2rGWLq-hPD1vOA/s1200/500mb.051413.gif)
The National Weather Service report for the record at Sioux City:
AT 135 PM THE TEMPERATURE REACHED 106 DEGREES AT THE SIOUX CITY GATEWAY AIRPORT ESTABLISHING A NEW RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THIS DATE AND A NEW RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY. THE PREVIOUS RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE WAS 97 DEGREES SET IN 2001 AND THE PREVIOUS RECORD MONTHLY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR MAY WAS 105 DEGREES SET ON MAY 30, 1934. THE TOP TEN HIGHEST TEMPERATURES FOR MONTH OF MAY FROM 1889 TO 2013 DEGREES DATE 1. 105 5/30/1934 2. 103 5/29/1934 3. 102 5/25/1967 4. 102 5/31/1934 5. 101 5/15/2001 6. 100 5/06/1934 7. 99 5/19/1934 8. 99 5/18/1934 9. 98 5/28/2006 10. 98 5/24/1939
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Weather Whiplash: U.S. Cold Records Crush Heat Records 6.5 to 1 in April
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumuP6ak0yB93wltgCvfGp8kdirb97bwirtSFPKms2z2dUjtT_g1eJx61gquBmmLaqs6Ap0MeEG1KMFuCBddxXfc76SJVvEn-2_mmhgXRVb1iqcfx8rN9j_iELfOi-Ep8A-D50tD-YYz0/s1600/temp.records.0413.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj3m_Q0N0GN-uFPfkwE4QKM7-StRLVIKZNaQJ6IyyU6-gs2fWRztgVAZZCI-g9VN-f12QAw3sdHKd5AfmtlLeBFPiI_kHDKp3zjv3nLt1ei_On-QzV6OzDTKHURLq8q_zrHK_AV6j5u0/s320/temp.records.cumulative.0413.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBukKJ8Ca3c3p3GMP1Hx1xfwud-O-btD1BGs1coyCrtmjhkYSUiQWjgUhvU1NsVFPAokM67keQCoFWxkhaG7vGK-7FBvmjHTQqcqmXAjWeOsEAsZx98AiMHd2CMotX_gvorhHcraTFQI/s320/temp.us.apr13.gif)
One year after heat records smashed cold records by a ratio of over 35 to 1, preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) show that new daily low temperature records in the U.S. outnumbered high temperature records by 6.5 to 1 in April. This was the largest monthly excess of cold records so far this decade. It was also the first time since at least February 2010 that more than 2 consecutive months have had more cold records than heat records.
For the spring season to date (March-April), cold records have exceeded heat records by a ratio of 4 to 1, and for 2013 to date, the ratio is 1.6 to 1. On the other hand, for the 12 consecutive months ending in April, heat records continue to outpace cold records by a ratio of 1.8 to 1. Cumulatively, the ratio of heat records to cold records is 2.8 to 1 since January 2010, well above the roughly 2 to 1 in previous decades. As the chart shows, the 2600 cold records in April barely made a dent in the cumulative excess of 36000 heat records since the beginning of the decade.
Preliminary data from NOAA/ESRL show that the coldest temperatures relative to average were in the North Central portion of the U.S. in April. The Pacific Coast states, however, were warmer than average, and near to above average temperatures prevailed over most of the eastern third of the country.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Washington Has Latest Occurrence of First 75° Temperature*
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB6S2lREofrFxe1qtSLpLOzI7Oxf83DmTRpZBdW5nE10w1JoJpXQI9dtbYJQzElW6NyRAnuSpvFmTvkMIZRjfzvWYGctDhTZsoNv8K8JDYC-XJpMJ7h5-QUnqPGRRHL7jmn9GzUubkZ8/s1600/temp.dca.75plus.jpg)
* since 2001
5:30 PM Update: The preliminary high for the day was 79° at 3 pm EDT.
Original Post:
With a noon temperature of 70°, Washington is well on its way to the first 75° or higher temperature of the year by this afternoon, or at least by tomorrow. This will be the latest occurrence of the first 75° temperature . . . since 2001, when this temperature was reached on April 9. The latest occurrence on record at the current observation location was on April 26, 1984. The average date for the first 75° temperature since 1930 is March 16.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Washington Fails to Reach 65° in March, First Time Since 1958
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPOwU-hdS_SVnHl7g4SaERSnKHC7Ty2rpTRrZOPcOzXq4OzuSTKnU5Awxkh7fQGDBovVexAHkTPLpXS6ZA0Vdaf4PC-q26QIvteq4pnbqW-ShGI1US5Du1MmEJQzN78HeEF0lkeMhvYw/s1600/temp.dca.mar.max.jpg)
March 2013 has closed out the record books with a monthly high temperature in Washington of 63°. This is the coldest high for March since the 58° in 1958. It's only the second time Washington has failed to reach 65° in March since the 60° high in 1931.
The unofficial monthly average of 43.8°, however, was only 3.0° below normal, making this the 55th coldest March since temperature records began in 1871.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Snowbound Sunday in Springfield: All-Time Daily Snowfall Record;
St. Louis Also Sets March Record
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOGjtU3Fo089qHx8hHUDEGacLvnCkWQVd1gwLD_1GTxjN_FcoDWjVNM22_utoj6h9LI2uPm7oyI-DEYCLs4La0QFyUOwKc9ze53Y3N6f4LomuGTKCrTQssmf1dkOCC10-Ym60prrqYfE/s1600/snow.springfield.mar24snow(1).png)
The National Weather Service reports that Springfield, Illinois set a daily snowfall record on March 24:
A RECORD DAILY SNOWFALL OF 17 INCHES WAS SET AT SPRINGFIELD IL ON SUNDAY MARCH 24TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 2.4 INCHES SET IN 1947.According to NWS data, this would also be an all-time daily snowfall record at Springfield:
Rank | Amount | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | 15.0 inches | Feb. 28, 1900 |
2 | 13.3 inches | Jan. 1-2, 1999 |
3 | 12.6 inches | Jan. 30-31, 1914 |
4 | 11.3 inches | Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2008 |
5 | 11.2 inches | Feb. 12-13, 2007 |
6 | 10.9 inches | Dec. 19, 1973 |
7 | 10.7 inches | Feb. 12, 1894 |
8 | 10.5 inches | Dec. 24, 1915 |
9 | 10.3 inches | Feb. 23-24, 1965 |
10 | 9.4 inches | March 19-20, 1906 |
A daily snowfall record was also set at Peoria and Lincoln:
A RECORD SNOWFALL OF 7 INCHES WAS SET AT PEORIA IL ON SUNDAY MARCH 24TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 3.7 INCHES SET IN 1933. A DAILY RECORD SNOWFALL OF 10.8 INCHES WAS SET AT LINCOLN IL ON SUNDAY MARCH 24TH. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 4 INCHES SET IN 1947.According to NWS records, this is also an all-time March daily record for Lincoln, exceeding the 7.5" on March 16, 1960.
The axis of heaviest snow also extended westward to St. Louis, where it was the heaviest daily snowfall for March and the second heaviest for any calendar day. From the NWS:
THE LATE SEASON WINTER STORM WHICH BROUGHT VERY HEAVY SNOW TO THE REGION YESTERDAY WILL GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS AS THE HIGHEST CALENDAR DAY MARCH SNOWFALL. THIS WAS ALSO THE SECOND HIGHEST CALENDAR DAY SNOWFALL EVER...AND THE SIXTH GREATEST SNOWFALL EVENT FOR ST LOUIS. HERE ARE THE TOP TEN LISTS (PLEASE NOTE THAT OFFICIAL SNOWFALL RECORDS FOR ST LOUIS GO BACK TO 1891)... TOP TEN MARCH CALENDAR DAY SNOWFALL (MIDNIGHT TO MIDNIGHT) 1. *12.4 INCHES 3/24/2013 2. 12.1 INCHES 3/24/1912 3. 10.0 INCHES 3/4/2008...3/6/1989...3/9/1958 6. 9.1 INCHES 3/19/1906 7. 8.6 INCHES 3/20/1924 8. 8.3 INCHES 3/26/1913 9. 7.8 INCHES 3/2/1912 10. 7.3 INCHES 3/23/1974 TOP TEN SNOWFALL CALENDAR DAYS (MIDNIGHT TO MIDNIGHT) 1. 12.8 INCHES 2/26/1906 2. *12.4 INCHES 3/24/2013 3. 12.1 INCHES 3/24/1912 4. 12.0 INCHES 12/19/1973 5. 11.7 INCHES 2/13/1914 6. 11.3 INCHES 2/16/1910 7. 11.2 INCHES 1/31/1958 8. 11.0 INCHES 1/11/1909 9. 10.9 INCHES 1/16/1978 10 10.5 INCHES 12/30/1973 TOP TEN SNOWFALL EVENTS (ANY 24 HOUR PERIOD...POSSIBLY SPANNING CALENDAR DAYS) 1. 15.6 INCHES 2/20-21/1912 2. 13.9 INCHES 1/30-31/1982 3. 13.3 INCHES 2/16-17/1910 4. 13.0 INCHES 2/12-13/1914 5. 12.8 INCHES 2/26/1906 6. *12.6 INCHES 3/24-25/2013 (7AM-7AM CDT) 7. 12.5 INCHES 1/16-17/1978 8. 12.1 INCHES 3/24/1912 9. 12.0 INCHES 12/19/1973 10. 12.0 INCHES 1/11-12/1909
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Think It Was Cold Today, DC? Not Your Great-Great Grandfather's March of the Penguins
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7zrWWyQ2w80MtMvntLA5IDxcyR8Ixc33l1RSGHqt7EjK-5aNHQmRoEqoXm2LNt7XxE_PxuizhVR5kxdXPfh8J2IUd2hcb1yQjtkM4QMUuj9dYTd8ubYquU9sYL9Na-8R3cuBBF6u7KE/s1600/dca.march.lohi.jpg)
Denizens of the DMV were complaining about the early-spring cold this March 21, but the chill was nowhere near the historical extremes for this date or any other date through the end of the month. Although the high for the day of 42° was set shortly after midnight, the daytime temperatures were mostly in the 30s. On the other hand, the afternoon high did reach 41°. This was well below the historical average of 58° in Washington, DC, but it was also a full 10° above the coldest high temperature for the date, which was set in 1885. In fact, it would not be near any coldest high for the remainder of March.
The CapitalClimate chart from National Weather Service data shows that all but 1 of the 13 record coldest high temperatures from March 19-31 were set over 100 years ago. The one exception was 73 years ago, on 03/25/1940.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Washington March Snow: Rare Event Becoming Rarer?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGLjUK_XFqty5KT2V4ByT3_HwQ5FqdO6QIgc8Cv5ApCh36uBI5xJedxtqN_PB6BqHnH0poJ1Bba2-5hyraAkG52JH-_Ar2RPaExrtOVU7bymEHR15jK1VkDt6RJrjhLDbhCgwaz1btss/s1600/march.snow.intervals.jpg)
The climatological average for March snowfall in Washington is just 1.3", so significant snowfalls in the first month of meteorological spring are rare. With the bust of the current "Snowquester", it's likely that 2013 will add to a string of nearly snowless Marches extending back to 2009, when a total of 5.5" was recorded.
In the early days of official snowfall records, which began in Washington in 1888, March snow was relatively common. In fact, the first 6 years in the climate record had measurable March snow; 3 of those were over 10".
The chart shows on the horizontal axis all of the years with 4" or more of total snowfall in March. The vertical axis is the number of years since the previous occurrence of 4"+. For example, if 4" occurred in consecutive years, the interval would be shown as 1. For the first several decades, the interval between significant March snows never exceeded 4 years, but in 1923 it reached 9. The interval reached double digits for the first time in 1956, when it was 13. It was 13 again in 1993, and 10 in 2009, which ended a March snow dry spell that began after 1999.
Unless this month has a miraculous snowfall recovery, the current March snow drought will be 4 years and counting.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Blizzard Threatens Texas All-Time Snowfall Records
8 PM CST February 26 Update: Map updated with final totals.
8 PM CST Update: The Amarillo snow total of 19" is the third heaviest for any storm on record:
19 inches of snow at NWS #Amarillo. 2nd most snow in a calendar day and 3rd most for any event. #phwx #amablizzard
— NWS Amarillo (@NWSAmarillo) February 26, 2013
4 PM CST Update: Here are some unofficial snowfall reports from the National Weather Service for the Texas panhandle:
Location Snowfall Source 7 ENE Amarillo TX 17 nws office Fritch TX 16 trained spotter Pampa TX 15 co-op observer 6 SE Booker TX 14 trained spotter Fritch TX 14 trained spotter White Deer TX 14 public Booker TX 14 emergency mngr Fritch TX 13 public 3 S Darrouzett TX 12.5 trained spotter Dumas TX 12 law enforcement Bushland TX 12 public 6 SW Amarillo TX 12 trained spotterOriginal Post:
The ongoing blizzard in the Texas panhandle is threatening to break some all-time Texas snowfall records. These are the current snowfall records at Amarillo, from the National Weather Service:
Max for 24 hours: 20.6 inches on March 25-26, 1934
Max for a single storm: 20.6 inches on March 25-26, 1934
Max for one month: 28.7 inches in February 1903
Max measured snow depth: 17.0 inches on February 26, 1903
Max for a season: 50.9 inches in 1918-19
The NWS at Amarillo reports:
GOING FORECAST STILL ON TRACK. THE NWS OFFICE NOW HAS OVER 13 INCHES ON THE GROUND WITH 3-4 FOOT DRIFTS AND A MAX GUST TO 58 MPH. THE SE TX PANHANDLE HAS BEEN SLOW TO FILL IN WITH SNOW AFTER THE THUNDERSTORMS THAT DROPPED HEAVY RAIN LAST NIGHT AND THESE AREAS MIGHT END UP WITH AMOUNTS CLOSER TO THE 8 INCH SIDE THAN THE 14 INCH SIDE OF THEIR RANGE. AT THE END OF THE DAY...THE HEAVIEST TOTALS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE ALONG A PALO DURO CANYON TO AMARILLO TO STINNETT TO PERRYTON LINE. SOME RECORDS SEEM TO BE IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION TODAY. THE FIRST IS AN ALL-TIME 24 HOUR SNOWFALL RECORD AT AMARILLO OF 20.6 INCHES FROM MARCH 25-26 1934. WE WILL LIKELY GET VERY CLOSE OR SURPASS THIS NUMBER BY THIS AFTERNOON. THE OTHER IS THE ALL-TIME STATE OF TEXAS 24 HOUR SNOWFALL RECORD OF 25 INCHES IN FOLLETT SET MARCH 28 2009. SOMEWHERE IN THE PERRYTON/STINNETT/BORGER/AMARILLO AREA COULD APPROACH THIS VALUE BY THIS AFTERNOON.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Record Low Mid-Atmospheric Pressure Predicted for Midwest Blizzard
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z-uBc7NVlvh62toFx0-yW7DW37Rw2IXCtdG1L48VfVKsUo9eaLrmaHimrb1Fw9gtAVEQL4F-IPz1_Qh7V6YfG6O93S7IJdSROCJOeMqcw0elKVdD7lQJOEgpaYsSsOpg4XcHZVDM4_o/s1600/gfs_namer_048_500_vort_ht.12z.022413.gif)
The maximum intensity for the developing Midwest blizzard is nearly 2 days away, but a major forecast model is predicting mid-atmospheric pressures at least as low as any observed during February in the region since systematic upper-air observations began in 1948. Based on data from this morning, the NOAA/NCEP GFS model is predicting super-low pressures by Tuesday morning near the middle of the atmosphere above the storm. The map above shows the predicted height (meters) of the level at which the pressure is 500 mb, or roughly half the value at the surface. The small circle near the Missouri-Arkansas border is labeled 528, or 5280 meters (approximately 3 miles). The values inside the circle would be even lower. According to historical data from NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory, the 500 mb height has never been as low as 5280 meters in that region since 1948. Here is a list of the top 10 lowest observations in February at latitude 35 N, longitude 90 W:
Date Meters 1991,2,15, 5287 1964,2,19, 5314 1978,2,21, 5318 1984,2,28, 5323 1965,2,25, 5334 1970,2, 3, 5345 1971,2, 9, 5357 2010,2,15, 5357 1958,2, 2, 5361 1984,2, 5, 5361
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0gu08NgjvQRHAe5fYa_GUbdgXuzv64-COBruCSVLFkT2cw7qAO0h9W3T_XB-d7WFyY0FJfOyZkAuMcAF28TZL1AQnpRLdda8XD3edeCu-0WK3_vvKAl4eo_eqhPVd1LbZlEE9Jh_HC0/s320/500nanom_f048_usbg.00z.022413.gif)
Looked at another way, the composite forecast from an ensemble of GFS forecast runs made from last night's data indicates that the 500 mb height departure from the long-term average will be as much as 5 standard deviations by Monday night (chart to the right, click to enlarge). For a purely randomly distributed event, a negative departure from average of 4.5 standard deviations would occur only 3 times in a million.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Next Storm Threatens Wichita All-Time Monthly Snow Record [Update: Record Broken]
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGWdfE7Zf9JWFNFfiwRTJC1w1VTLIfOo2HtjN2DGc6SaYQiyfNA_k1bbkHAwI5SJk_oZXR_bqP_s7TfhDF326BOGTT3hqn-044r5C_tSqDtecPzpbhOn4auWBax0PIqLZKIOkVDXujGc/s1600/ict.Top20Snow.monthly.png)
February 26, 9 AM CST Update: The Wichita daily record snowfall of 4.8" yesterday, plus 2" so far today, brings the monthly total to 21", which breaks the record.
February 25, 8 PM CST Update: The heaviest snow appears to be passing south of Wichita. The National Weather Service reports just 1.9" so far today.
4 PM CST Update: The latest National Weather Service updated forecast calls for over 14" of snow at Wichita. This could exceed the old monthly record by an incredible 8":
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98SnmYnwMfSXCc_A0rUHFtqVQceX28JfyLx9HtYVLlYdUSMFBlBu20f-5dr8jFYJACe8ReiEPKZuWZwriHwhCaxlJ-NRQ4zoOHXlZiOL1efw6gVECmVBCLOMDq4tcaczjOI5otLxXElc/s1600/ict.022313.StormTotalSnow.png)
Original Post:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3hGyWbVR9QWYAhSLnnIsiWFKekTKRRlgIrRC9WKETuJSqDsQdr6vZuyiCDXoTHy89bsYxFcnBIoddQxTiKAZVzGbfpuw2BlLO0gwQSUskfhkA3MZX4qGIGOIRqzSXl5EQGBomO8fmC4/s320/ict.snow.022313.png)
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Second Biggest Snowstorm on Record at Wichita
8 PM CST Update: Unofficial reports of 12" or more of snow in Kansas have been added below.
Original post:
The latest National Weather Service storm total report from Wichita, Kansas indicates that the 14.2" so far is the second biggest snowstorm since records began in 1888. According to the latest hourly report, snow has now ended. Elsewhere in Kansas, unofficial reports were as high as 18". From the NWS:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oPe48dJBUumhzTeFYsE47_VonvQHw-Y_0cLWXXwT5rl6UzC83Nt3J5_5JCEl1jNTqBM1sJt9aM31flExooNWMpW_MlC70besUyON6aW_2BDvYJQ7Ya-aeJ-KZb6usF_om_6xIi6Tn2c/s1600/ict.top+20+snowstorms.png)
This storm will also make February 2013 a top-20 snowiest month and the 5th snowiest February at Wichita:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGRhampu0vhVH2h0At60Sr72kBeCDxxIeWbFD6fFx9QQK2hsMxwfWsGeq3Lv8PXi4j74PPCvG-2eicK6K_Ui7J-d2YXHUsyWbrsgz6Hjjd2HNC4Ex5RASS_LgYoO4UQ0_NoGSAZ5SmE4/s1600/ict.Top20Snow.monthly.png)
[Update] Here are some unofficial reports of 12" or more:
Original post:
The latest National Weather Service storm total report from Wichita, Kansas indicates that the 14.2" so far is the second biggest snowstorm since records began in 1888. According to the latest hourly report, snow has now ended. Elsewhere in Kansas, unofficial reports were as high as 18". From the NWS:
.TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON .DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE. ..REMARKS.. 0440 PM HEAVY SNOW WICHITA MID CONTINENT A 37.66N 97.44W 02/21/2013 M14.2 INCH SEDGWICK KS OFFICIAL NWS OBS OFFICIAL STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR WICHITA THROUGH 440 PM. 0448 PM HEAVY SNOW NASHVILLE 37.44N 98.42W 02/21/2013 M18.0 INCH KINGMAN KS LAW ENFORCEMENT 0448 PM HEAVY SNOW SPIVEY 37.45N 98.17W 02/21/2013 M14.0 INCH KINGMAN KS TRAINED SPOTTER 0448 PM HEAVY SNOW KINGMAN 37.65N 98.11W 02/21/2013 M14.0 INCH KINGMAN KS EMERGENCY MNGRThe NWS chart shows the previous top 20 snowstorms at Wichita:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oPe48dJBUumhzTeFYsE47_VonvQHw-Y_0cLWXXwT5rl6UzC83Nt3J5_5JCEl1jNTqBM1sJt9aM31flExooNWMpW_MlC70besUyON6aW_2BDvYJQ7Ya-aeJ-KZb6usF_om_6xIi6Tn2c/s1600/ict.top+20+snowstorms.png)
This storm will also make February 2013 a top-20 snowiest month and the 5th snowiest February at Wichita:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGRhampu0vhVH2h0At60Sr72kBeCDxxIeWbFD6fFx9QQK2hsMxwfWsGeq3Lv8PXi4j74PPCvG-2eicK6K_Ui7J-d2YXHUsyWbrsgz6Hjjd2HNC4Ex5RASS_LgYoO4UQ0_NoGSAZ5SmE4/s1600/ict.Top20Snow.monthly.png)
[Update] Here are some unofficial reports of 12" or more:
THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION. SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT INCHES LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME ------ ----------------------- -- -------------- ------- 18.00 NASHVILLE KS KINGMAN 0448 PM 14.20 WICHITA MID CONTINENT A KS SEDGWICK 0440 PM OFFICIAL STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR WICHITA THROUGH 440 PM. 14.00 NORWICH KS KINGMAN 0503 PM 7 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL SINCE EARLY THIS MORNING WITH TOTAL OF 14 INCHES ON GROUND. 14.00 SPIVEY KS KINGMAN 0448 PM 14.00 KINGMAN KS KINGMAN 0448 PM 14.00 CLEARWATER KS SEDGWICK 0348 PM 14.00 WICHITA MID CONTINENT A KS SEDGWICK 0346 PM OFFICIAL STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR WICHITA. 14.00 CLEARWATER KS SEDGWICK 0245 PM 13.50 HUTCHINSON KS RENO 0554 PM STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL RANGED FROM 12 TO 15 INCHES IN THE HUTCHINSON AREA. 13.10 HUTCHINSON KS RENO 1142 AM 13.00 8 E KINGMAN KS KINGMAN 0644 PM 13.00 ELLSWORTH KS ELLSWORTH 0429 PM STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL. 13.00 N LYONS KS RICE 0404 PM SNOWFALL REPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTY RANGE FROM 12 TO 14 INCHES. 13.00 MCPHERSON KS MCPHERSON 1203 PM 12.80 1 E HAYSVILLE KS SEDGWICK 0457 PM 12.50 WICHITA MID CONTINENT A KS SEDGWICK 0246 PM OFFICIAL STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL SO FAR FOR WICHITA. 12.00 4 ESE MARQUETTE KS MCPHERSON 0535 PM 12.00 MCPHERSON KS MCPHERSON 0534 PM STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL WAS 11.8 INCHES WITH DEPTH AT 11.0 INCHES. 12.00 SALINA KS SALINE 0438 PM SNOW TOTAL WAS REPORTED TO BE 11.7 INCHES 12.00 LYONS KS RICE 1016 AM DRIFTS OF UNSPECIFIED DEPTH ALSO REPORTED. 12.00 5 N EL DORADO KS BUTLER 0930 AM RURAL REPORTS OF 12 INCHES OF SNOW NORTH OF EL DORADO.
Monday, February 18, 2013
SnowNoGettin': Washington on Track for Record Lowest 3-Year Total Snowfall, Largest 3-Year Decrease
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUQFWD9x92daa_fD_XgU-F2IGz455ThicfEel8GyEpE0hglxYBAgLUX63jKZjOth9_3Zj5gd3Ij6PwPggtAB80c-779lD9_q5MmeklQxVAGJFuImVAp4WNMPzRguqZ8ok2G1tKwcs7_k/s1600/snow.dca.3yr.history.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xcaPkizmdu9aOX21WqATZ7jaZkaMH5DfzQRBPlltFEJh8rS_orI8bqDXNZzaMGmSKrdeH5ArtIHRj_aeMZGV3nLa816DrgrqgLt2EUpQhtprpj98ACCHmMZx96nNFfNw0Jx6ZcaB71U/s320/snow.dca.winter.3yr.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A3iRmkKz0050Wb8RKkKc_g2TGevl2Ja_oXIcRp2z7j4WwP07v-PQoU1UuyehcPdo4OQ93mUYCsr3CxBKT0S6M6DssRAoPBgWoslfLV0QBsxF8raw08vVX_ICvNg6T9LY7IEc5m3jbdM/s320/snow.dca.3yr.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNR2O_iQ0ihyphenhyphendSkk8RDgmHO-0rRxcCfCqRr6zDbEfxktBIKL_7C0-NmhOAIlKOZSDw-llrxzR6_65IMsutT4GxbcipombZhm_I5i7NOswvwRZ-0UGr_2oj2Y5pWGvFDsP1ZVcTeKQedpM/s320/snow.dca.3yr.decrease.jpg)
For the entire season (including all months), assuming no more snow in February, the highly erratic month of March would have to contribute nearly 5" for the 3-year seasonal total to exceed the current record low for the period ending in 1998-99.
Comparing consecutive 3-year totals, the current amount of 13.6" is a massive 54.6" less than the 3-year total ending last year, which included the record high season. This is over 13" more than the 3-year decrease observed in 1901-02, the current record decrease.
Images (click to enlarge):
- Washington 3-year snow totals ending at season indicated
- Lowest Washington 3-year winter-only (November-February) snow totals
- Lowest Washington 3-year snow totals (2013 to date)
- Largest decreases in consecutive 3-year Washington snow totals (2013 to date)
CapitalClimate charts from National Weather Service data; background image © Kevin Ambrose
Saturday, February 9, 2013
New England Blizzard 2013 Update: Top 10 Snowfall Records Set, All-Time Highest at Portland
Image (click to enlarge): Top 10 snowfall totals for southern New England, from National Weather Service
February 10 Update: The Providence total has been corrected to 16.6", making this the 9th biggest snowstorm.
Original Post:
As the snow has wound down over New England, the National Weather Service is reporting top 10 storm snowfall totals at its major climate reporting stations. The preliminary total of 31.9" at Portland was an all-time record, but official climate records at Portland extend back only to 1941.
Location Amount Rank Portland ME 31.9" 1st Worcester MA 28.7" 3rd Hartford CT 22.8" 2nd Providence RI 16.6" 9th Boston MA 24.9" 5thAs of 4 PM today (Saturday), here are unofficial NWS reports of 2 feet or more:
********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL******************** LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS SNOWFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ..HARTFORD COUNTY GLASTONBURY 33.5 326 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC MANCHESTER 32.0 1030 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER WEATOGUE 31.0 1012 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO FARMINGTON 29.0 918 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO GRANBY 29.0 938 AM 2/09 NWS EMPLOYEE NEWINGTON 28.0 1240 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC BURLINGTON 27.5 902 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER 2 SE ENFIELD 27.2 700 AM 2/09 COCORAHS 1 WSW WETHERSFIELD 27.0 900 AM 2/09 COCORAHS HARTFORD 27.0 929 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO CANTON 26.0 956 AM 2/09 NONE NORTH GRANBY 25.0 610 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER AVON 25.0 239 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO 1 ENE NORTH GRANBY 25.0 900 AM 2/09 COCORAHS WEST HARTFORD 24.5 218 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO 3 NNW WEST HARTFORD 24.3 730 AM 2/09 COCORAHS BRISTOL 24.0 908 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER SIMSBURY 24.0 618 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ..TOLLAND COUNTY COVENTRY 32.5 1143 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER STAFFORDVILLE 31.4 100 PM 2/09 NWS COOP TOLLAND 30.5 914 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC STAFFORD SPRINGS 26.1 1237 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER SOMERS 25.5 646 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER VERNON 25.0 402 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ..WINDHAM COUNTY EAST KILLINGLY 26.0 1105 AM 2/09 NONE WOODSTOCK 26.0 1026 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER THOMPSON 25.5 1008 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER HAMPTON 25.0 829 AM 2/09 COOP OBSERVER ASHFORD 24.0 828 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC MASSACHUSETTS ..BRISTOL COUNTY FALL RIVER 24.0 1122 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ..ESSEX COUNTY SAUGUS 28.2 1243 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC LYNN 27.0 1152 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO SALEM 25.0 405 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER MIDDLETON 25.0 258 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC METHUEN 24.5 1112 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER TOPSFIELD 24.0 243 PM 2/09 NONE ..HAMPDEN COUNTY SOUTHWICK 28.3 800 AM 2/09 NONE AGAWAM 24.0 1120 AM 2/09 TRAINRD SPOTTER MONSON 24.0 653 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO BLANDFORD 24.0 446 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ..HAMPSHIRE COUNTY WESTHAMPTON 25.0 913 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER NORTHAMPTON 24.0 700 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER ..MIDDLESEX COUNTY FRAMINGHAM 30.5 910 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO WINCHESTER 30.2 319 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC WILMINGTON 29.0 323 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC SOMERVILLE 28.0 932 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC WAKEFIELD 27.5 100 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC ACTON 27.0 128 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC BELMONT 27.0 732 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO LITTLETON 27.0 903 AM 2/09 NONE MELROSE 26.5 553 AM 2/09 NONE READING 26.2 210 PM 2/09 TRIAINED SPOTTER CAMBRIDGE 26.0 1112 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO HUDSON 26.0 936 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO TYNGSBORO 26.0 1032 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO SHERBORN 25.8 716 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO NORTH WOBURN 25.5 352 PM 2/09 NONE 1 SW ACTON 25.4 845 AM 2/09 COCORAHS TOWNSEND 25.1 1016 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER 2 NNE NATICK 25.0 840 AM 2/09 COCORAHS WALTHAM 25.0 734 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO DRACUT 24.9 105 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC NATICK 24.0 1022 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER WESTFORD 24.0 725 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO MEDFORD 24.0 812 AM 2/09 NONE MAYNARD 24.0 937 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ..NORFOLK COUNTY QUINCY 30.0 104 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC MILTON 28.0 143 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC 1 NW WEYMOUTH 26.0 800 AM 2/09 COCORAHS WEYMOUTH 26.0 911 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO WRENTHAM 26.0 702 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO RANDOLPH 26.0 152 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER NORTH WEYMOUTH 25.8 400 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER BROOKLINE 25.5 1125 AM 2/09 NWS EMPLOYEE NORWOOD 25.4 1233 PM 2/09 NWS EMPLOYEE FOXBORO 24.5 1200 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER BRAINTREE 24.1 951 AM 2/09 MEDIA 1 NW NORWOOD 24.0 700 AM 2/09 COCORAHS ..SUFFOLK COUNTY SOUTH BOSTON 28.0 328 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER JAMAICA PLAIN 25.5 1004 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO WEST ROXBURY 25.0 329 PM 2/09 HAM RADIO WINTHROP 24.9 100 PM 2/09 LOGAN AIRPORT ..WORCESTER COUNTY SPENCER 31.0 1030 AM 2/09 NONE FITCHBURG 30.2 304 PM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER NORTHBORO 29.5 1002 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO STERLING 28.0 1244 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC WORCESTER 28.0 747 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO MILFORD 28.0 843 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC SHREWSBURY 27.0 735 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO ATHOL 27.0 1023 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO 1 SSE NORTHBOROUGH 26.7 835 AM 2/09 COCORAHS LEICESTER 26.0 1110 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO MILBURY 26.0 754 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO SOUTHBORO 25.5 646 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO OXFORD 25.2 623 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC TEMPLETON 25.0 405 AM 2/09 NONE CLINTON 25.0 811 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC DOUGLAS 25.0 826 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO CHARLTON 24.5 224 PM 2/09 HAM RADIO GARDNER 24.0 758 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO NEW HAMPSHIRE ..HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NEW BOSTON 30.4 959 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC MOUNT VERNON 30.0 313 PM 2/09 HAM RADIO GOFFSTOWN 28.0 802 AM 2/09 NONE NEW IPSWICH 25.0 354 AM 2/09 FIRE DEPT/RESCUE HOLLIS 24.0 856 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO NASHUA 24.0 500 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO PELHAM 24.0 715 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO 4 NNE AMHERST 24.0 1000 AM 2/09 COCORAHS ..MERRIMACK COUNTY CONCORD ASOS 24.0 104 PM 2/09 ..ROCKINGHAM COUNTY 5 W SEABROOK 29.3 216 PM 2/09 1 NNW SEABROOK 26.2 930 AM 2/09 1 S EAST HAMPSTEAD 26.0 1004 AM 2/09 ..STRAFFORD COUNTY 2 SSE FARMINGTON 27.0 943 AM 2/09 RHODE ISLAND ..PROVIDENCE COUNTY WEST GLOCESTER 27.6 1046 AM 2/09 TRAINED SPOTTER NORTH FOSTER 26.3 1023 AM 2/09 NWS COOP WOONSOCKET 26.1 100 PM 2/09 MEDIA GLOCESTER 26.0 1237 PM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC BURRILLVILLE 26.0 1141 AM 2/09 GENERAL PUBLIC 3 SE WEST GLOCESTER 25.7 700 AM 2/09 COCORAHS 1 ESE WOONSOCKET 24.4 700 AM 2/09 COCORAHS CUMBERLAND 24.1 635 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO NORTH SCITUATE 24.0 1018 AM 2/09 LAW ENFORCEMENT SMITHFIELD 24.0 714 AM 2/09 HAM RADIO MAINE ..ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY 2 E LEWISTON 25.5 159 PM 2/09 4 S TURNER 24.0 1139 AM 2/09 ..CUMBERLAND COUNTY GORHAM 35.5 234 PM 2/09 PORTLAND JETPORT 31.9 100 PM 2/09 WESTBROOK 30.0 1132 AM 2/09 PORTLAND - N DEERING 26.5 1137 AM 2/09 GRAY NWS OFFICE 26.4 1259 PM 2/09 3 NNW PORTLAND 24.0 928 AM 2/09 GRAY 24.0 1112 AM 2/09 ..OXFORD COUNTY 1 W OTISFIELD 24.0 1122 AM 2/09 ..SAGADAHOC COUNTY RICHMOND 26.5 202 PM 2/09 ..YORK COUNTY BERWICK 32.0 1221 PM 2/09 2 NNW SACO 27.0 1053 AM 2/09 HOLLIS 24.5 115 PM 2/09
Friday, February 8, 2013
Blizzard Benchmark: Top 10 Daily Snowfalls
The current blizzard developing from New York northward through southeast New England is being widely touted as a potential record-breaking event. Here are the top 10 daily snowfall amounts (inches), from NOAA/National Weather Service data, for the major climate reporting locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southern Maine. The stations are Boston (BOS), Hartford (BDL), Providence (PVD), Worcester (ORH), and Portland (PWM).
BOS | BDL | PVD | ORH | PWM | ||||||
1 | 23.6 | 2/17/2003 | 24.0 | 1/12/2011 | 20.8 | 1/8/1996 | 21.1 | 1/12/2011 | 22.3 | 12/17/1970 |
2 | 22.4 | 4/1/1997 | 21.9 | 2/12/2006 | 18.3 | 2/4/1961 | 19.5 | 2/14/1962 | 21.0 | 12/28/1946 |
3 | 21.0 | 1/20/1978 | 17.7 | 12/29/1945 | 18.0 | 2/6/1978 | 18.8 | 2/17/2003 | 21.0 | 1/26/1888 |
4 | 19.3 | 2/16/1958 | 17.2 | 2/20/1934 | 16.4 | 1/23/2005 | 18.8 | 2/4/1961 | 20.4 | 1/24/1935 |
5 | 19.0 | 2/7/1978 | 16.7 | 12/19/1945 | 14.8 | 1/28/1943 | 18.4 | 1/20/1961 | 20.4 | 2/26/1934 |
6 | 17.5 | 2/12/2006 | 16.3 | 2/5/2001 | 14.7 | 2/17/2003 | 18.1 | 1/23/2005 | 19.8 | 3/13/1939 |
7 | 15.0 | 2/20/1934 | 16.2 | 2/4/1926 | 14.7 | 3/19/1956 | 18.0 | 11/27/1898 | 17.5 | 3/6/1887 |
8 | 14.7 | 1/28/1897 | 16.2 | 2/20/1921 | 14.4 | 2/8/1945 | 17.3 | 12/12/1992 | 17.1 | 2/23/1967 |
9 | 14.6 | 1/12/2011 | 16.0 | 2/14/1914 | 14.3 | 12/20/2009 | 16.9 | 2/12/2006 | 17.0 | 2/9/1969 |
10 | 14.4 | 2/4/1961 | 15.0 | 2/17/2003 | 14.2 | 2/24/1969 | 15.8 | 3/12/1959 | 16.9 | 3/13/1993 |
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Moisture Madness in Madison:
Wettest January Day, 3rd Wettest Winter Day in 144-Year Climate History
The record-breaking mid-winter heat earlier this week has also been accompanied by record precipitation. In Madison, Wisconsin, the 1.84" of rain on Tuesday was nearly double the previous daily record for January 29 of 0.98" in 1869. It was also the wettest January day in climate history extending back to 1869, exceeding the January 1, 1892 amount of 1.80". Furthermore, it was the 3rd largest rainfall in any winter month (December-February), exceeded only by 2.54" on December 27, 1904 and 2.19" on December 3, 1990.
In all, National Climatic Data Center preliminary reports show that 10 all-time January daily precipitation records were broken on January 29 and 24 more records were broken on January 30. Besides Madison, other Wisconsin records broken in century-plus climate histories included a cooperative station near Lancaster (2.06" vs. previous 1.60") with 120 years of records and Dodgeville (1.48" vs. 1.26") with 116 years. In Missouri, the Sedalia Water Treatment Plant recorded 3.05" to break the old record of 2.60" on January 19, 1907.
Monday, January 28, 2013
January Heat Records Krushed in Kansas, Mashed in Missouri
Image (click to enlarge): U.S. high temperatures for January 28, 2013, from Unisys
January 29 Update: Added Kansas City, St. Joseph, and other Missouri records (see below).
Original post:
A new ice age in North America?
Back in US. What happened to global warming?London, D.C, New York seem like new ice age!Rockies too.
— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 26, 2013
The National Weather Service reports that Topeka, Kansas set an all-time high temperature record for January today. Topeka climate records are even older than Rupert Murdoch; they began in 1887.
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 77 DEGREES WAS SET AT BILLARD AIRPORT IN TOPEKA KS TODAY AT 331 PM. THIS SETS THE RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE BOTH FOR THIS DAY AND FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. THE PREVIOUS RECORD FOR TODAY WAS 67 DEGREES...SET IN 1917. THE PREVIOUS RECORD FOR THE MONTH WAS 74 DEGREES...FIRST SET ON JANUARY 2...1939 AND THEN TIED ON JANUARY 8...2003.And at nearby Koch Industries headquarters in Wichita, the heat just missed the all-time January record of 75°:
WICHITA MID-CONTINENT AIRPORT HAD A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES TODAY. THIS BROKE THE PREVIOUS HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD OF 72 DEGREES WHICH WAS SET BACK IN 2011.Elsewhere in Kansas and Missouri:
SALINA REACHED A HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY OF 74 DEGREES. THIS BROKE THE PREVIOUS HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD WHICH WAS 68 DEGREES SET BACK IN 1938. RUSSELL'S HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY SOARED TO 76 DEGREES. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD WHICH WAS 72 DEGREES SET BACK IN 1950. CHANUTE'S HIGH TEMPERATURE TODAY CLIMBED TO 75 DEGREES. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD WHICH WAS 68 DEGREES SET BACK IN 1917. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 69 DEGREES WAS SET AT GOODLAND KANSAS TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 68 DEGREES SET IN 1968. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES WAS SET AT THE KANSAS CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THIS AFTERNOON. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 65 SET IN 1917 AND FALLS ONE DEGREE SHORT OF TYING THE ALL-TIME JANUARY MAX TEMPERATURE OF 75 SET ON JANUARY 24 1950. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 72 DEGREES WAS SET AT ST. JOSEPH TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 63 SET IN 1917. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES WAS SET AT SPRINGFIELD MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 72 SET IN 2002. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 73 DEGREES WAS SET AT JOPLIN MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 68 SET IN 2002. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 55 DEGREES WAS SET AT SPRINGFIELD MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 53 DEGREES SET IN 1968 AND 1914. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 59 DEGREES WAS SET AT JOPLIN MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 58 DEGREES SET IN 1968. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 56 DEGREES WAS SET AT VICHY/ROLLA MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 51 DEGREES SET IN 1968. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 54 DEGREES WAS SET AT WEST PLAINS MO YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 51 DEGREES SET IN 1968. A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 77 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBIA REGIONAL AIRPORT YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 67 DEGREES SET IN 2002. A RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATUR OF 54 DEGREES WAS SET AT COLUMBIA REGIONAL AIRPORT YESTERDAY. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 51 DEGREES SET IN 1914. THE RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 77 DEGREES YESTERDAY ALSO TIES THE RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN COLUMBIA DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY. IT ALSO REACHED 77 DEGREES ON JANUARY 24 1950...AND JANUARY 23 1909.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Inauguration Weather 2013: Temperature Exceeds Expectations
January 23 Update: The final daily low was 32° at midnight. The hourly data table and climate summary have been updated.
9 PM Update: The temperature reached 47° at 6 pm to exceed the earlier high. The low of 33° is also likely to be surpassed by midnight. (Hourly data table updated.)
Original post:
The weather for Inauguration 2013 has been much warmer than four years ago. The high of 46° was 16° above that of January 20, 2009, and the average of 40° was +4° relative to normal, vs. -9° last time. The official temperature at noon was 40° with a south wind at 10 mph.
The hourly observations:
The daily climate summary from the National Weather Service:
9 PM Update: The temperature reached 47° at 6 pm to exceed the earlier high. The low of 33° is also likely to be surpassed by midnight. (Hourly data table updated.)
Original post:
The weather for Inauguration 2013 has been much warmer than four years ago. The high of 46° was 16° above that of January 20, 2009, and the average of 40° was +4° relative to normal, vs. -9° last time. The official temperature at noon was 40° with a south wind at 10 mph.
The hourly observations:
Hour | Wind | Weather | Temperature | Dewpoint | Humidity | Wind Chill | Pressure |
12:00 AM | NW 23 G 35 | Fair and Breezy | 32 | 9 | 0.38 | 19 | 1013.6 |
11:00 PM | NW 17 G 26 | Fair | 33 | 11 | 0.4 | 22 | 1013.6 |
10:00 PM | NW 8 G 20 | Fair | 34 | 14 | 0.44 | 27 | 1013.4 |
9:00 PM | N 14 G 21 | A Few Clouds | 35 | 15 | 0.44 | 26 | 1013 |
8:00 PM | N 18 G 29 | Fair | 39 | 14 | 0.36 | 30 | 1012.1 |
7:00 PM | N 15 | Mostly Cloudy | 41 | 22 | 0.47 | 33 | 1011.5 |
6:00 PM | NW 5 | Overcast | 47 | 25 | 0.42 | 45 | 1009.6 |
5:00 PM | S 6 | Partly Cloudy | 45 | 27 | 0.49 | 42 | 1009.1 |
4:00 PM | S 8 | A Few Clouds | 46 | 27 | 0.47 | 42 | 1010 |
3:00 PM | S 9 | Partly Cloudy | 46 | 25 | 0.44 | 41 | 1011.3 |
2:00 PM | S 10 | Mostly Cloudy | 44 | 23 | 0.43 | 39 | 1012.8 |
1:00 PM | S 7 | Mostly Cloudy | 42 | 20 | 0.41 | 38 | 1014.6 |
12:00 PM | S 10 | Mostly Cloudy | 40 | 21 | 0.47 | 34 | 1016.4 |
11:00 AM | S 6 | Mostly Cloudy | 38 | 19 | 0.46 | 33 | 1018.6 |
10:00 AM | SE 7 | Mostly Cloudy | 38 | 19 | 0.46 | 33 | 1019.3 |
9:00 AM | E 7 | Mostly Cloudy | 35 | 18 | 0.5 | 29 | 1019.5 |
8:00 AM | SE 6 | Mostly Cloudy | 34 | 17 | 0.5 | 29 | 1019.6 |
7:00 AM | E 6 | Mostly Cloudy | 33 | 16 | 0.49 | 27 | 1019.8 |
6:00 AM | E 7 | Overcast | 33 | 15 | 0.48 | 27 | 1019.6 |
5:00 AM | NE 9 | Overcast | 35 | 15 | 0.44 | 28 | 1019.4 |
4:00 AM | E 8 | Overcast | 35 | 16 | 0.46 | 28 | 1019.4 |
3:00 AM | N 12 | Mostly Cloudy | 36 | 14 | 0.4 | 28 | 1019.5 |
2:00 AM | N 10 | Partly Cloudy | 37 | 13 | 0.37 | 30 | 1019.5 |
1:00 AM | N 13 | Mostly Cloudy | 38 | 14 | 0.37 | 30 | 1018.8 |
12:00 AM | N 8 | Mostly Cloudy | 39 | 14 | 0.36 | 33 | 1019 |
The daily climate summary from the National Weather Service:
..THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL DC CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR JANUARY 21 2013 CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010 CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2013 WEATHER ITEM OBSERVED TIME RECORD YEAR NORMAL DEPARTURE LAST VALUE (LST) VALUE VALUE FROM YEAR NORMAL .............................................................. TEMPERATURE (F) YESTERDAY MAXIMUM 47 553 PM 70 1959 43 4 34 MINIMUM 32 1159 PM -4 1985 28 4 28 AVERAGE 40 36 4 31 PRECIPITATION (IN) YESTERDAY 0.00 1.41 1902 0.10 -0.10 0.23 MONTH TO DATE 1.21 1.90 -0.69 1.53 SINCE DEC 1 4.24 4.95 -0.71 6.43 SINCE JAN 1 1.21 1.90 -0.69 1.53 SNOWFALL (IN) YESTERDAY 0.0 3.5 1982 0.2 -0.2 MONTH TO DATE T 3.4 -3.4 SINCE JUL 1 0.2 6.2 -6.0 SNOW DEPTH 0 DEGREE DAYS HEATING YESTERDAY 25 29 -4 34 MONTH TO DATE 473 609 -136 534 SINCE DEC 1 1076 1395 -319 1147 SINCE JUL 1 1787 2090 -303 1742 COOLING YESTERDAY 0 0 0 0 MONTH TO DATE 0 0 0 0 SINCE DEC 1 0 0 0 0 SINCE JAN 1 0 0 0 0 .............................................................. WIND (MPH) HIGHEST WIND SPEED 26 HIGHEST WIND DIRECTION NW (320) HIGHEST GUST SPEED 37 HIGHEST GUST DIRECTION NW (320) AVERAGE WIND SPEED 10.0 SKY COVER POSSIBLE SUNSHINE MM AVERAGE SKY COVER 0.6 WEATHER CONDITIONS THE FOLLOWING WEATHER WAS RECORDED YESTERDAY. NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER WAS OBSERVED. RELATIVE HUMIDITY (PERCENT) HIGHEST 51 800 AM LOWEST 34 1200 AM AVERAGE 43
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Latest seasonal forecast: Click here.
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Latest 3-month temperature outlook from Climate Prediction Center/NWS/NOAA.
Latest 3-month temperature outlook from Climate Prediction Center/NWS/NOAA.