Narrative Summary - August 2009
August 2009 was warmer than normal, averaging 76.3ºF, 0.9º above normal (75.4ºF). The hottest
August (1967) averaged 81.5ºF, while the coolest (1964) averaged 69.8ºF. There were 15 days in August
with maximum temperatures >= 90ºF compared to an August normal of 17. There have been 51 days this
year with maximum temperatures >= 90ºF compared to a normal (through August) of 52 days. There were
6 days in August with maximum temperatures >= 100ºF which is normal for August. There have been 19
days this year with maximum temperatures >= 100ºF compared to a normal (through August) of 12. The
following daily temperatures records were established during August 2009:
New Old Date Category Record Record Year 1 High Maximum 109 109 1971 Tie 2 High Minimum 77 75 1977 & other years 15 Low Minimum 50 51 1974 20 High Maximum 105 105 1967 Tie
Precipitation for August 2009 totaled 0.04 inches, 15% of normal (0.27 inch). The wettest August (1977)
received 1.36 inches, while the driest (1955 and 1988) received no precipitation. Total precipitation for
2009 (through August) is 3.36 inches, 83% of normal (4.07 inches).
The average wind speed for August 2009 was 8.4 miles per hour (mph), which was 0.5 mph above normal
(7.9 mph). The windiest August (1996) averaged 9.5 mph, while the August with the lightest winds
(1956) averaged 6.0 mph. The peak gust for August 2009 was 41 mph on August 21. The record wind
gust for August was 66 mph in 1961.
The summer season of 2009 (June, July and August) was warmer than normal, averaging 75.8ºF, 2.1º
above normal (73.7ºF). The hottest summer (1958) averaged 78.2ºF, while the coolest summer (1980)
averaged 70.2ºF. The summer’s highest maximum temperature was 109ºF on August 1. The highest
maximum temperature ever recorded at the Hanford Meteorology Station (113ºF was recorded on
August 4, 1961, July 13, 2002, and July 23, 2006). Summer season precipitation totaled 0.20 inches, 21%
of normal (0.95 inch). The wettest summer (1950) received 2.99 inches, while the driest (1973) received
only 0.03 inch.
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 Burk | 373-3215 | |
| HMS Staff | 373-2716 |
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.