Narrative Summary - April 2008

April 2008 was much cooler than normal, averaging 48.8ºF, 4.7º below normal (53.5ºF). This makes
April 2008 the fourth coldest on record. April has not averaged below 50ºF since 1982. The warmest
April (1994) averaged 58.2ºF, while the coldest (1955) averaged 47.5ºF. The following daily
temperature records were established:

       			New	Old
Date	Category       	Record	Record	Year
  3	Low Minimum	  22	  23	1975
 18	Low Minimum	  28	  29	1968
 19	Low Minimum	  27	  27	1966 Tied
 21	Low Minimum	  24	  26	1985

Precipitation for April 2008 totaled 0.08 inches, 18% of normal (0.44 inch). The wettest April (2003)
received 2.23 inches, while the driest (1999 and earlier years) received only a trace. Total precipitation
for 2008 (through April) is 2.11 inches, 83% of normal (2.57 inches).

The average wind speed for April 2008 was 9.1 miles per hour (mph), which was 0.3 mph above normal
(8.8 mph). The windiest April (1959 and 1972) averaged 11.1 mph, while the April with the lightest
winds (2004) averaged 7.2 mph. The peak gust for April 2008 was 44 mph on April 4. The record wind
gust for April was 73 mph in 1972.

Special note: This is the first time in recent history (25+ years) that the HMS staff can remember having
visible patches of snow across the Rattlesnake ridge into the month of May.

The monthly climatological data summaries, as well as other information, are available on the Internet.
Address: http://hms.pnl.gov/

For additional information contact:
Ken Burk373-3215
HMS Staff373-2716

Note: The information in this summary pertains specifically to
the Hanford Meteorology Station (HMS), which is located
approximately 25 miles northwest of Richland, Washington. No
attempt should be made to infer meteorological conditions at other
locations from these data.