Narrative Summary - March 2008

March 2008 was cooler than normal, averaging 43.4ºF, 2.7º below normal (46.1ºF). The warmest March
(1992) averaged 51.5ºF, while the coldest (1955) averaged 39.4ºF. The following records were
established in March 2008:

       			New	Old
Date	Category       	Record	Record	Year
 27	Low Minimum	  23	  24	1975
 28	Low Maximum	  41	  42	1954
 30	Low Maximum	  49	  52	1967
 31	Low Minimum	  28	  28	2005 Tied

Precipitation for March 2008 totaled 0.20 inch, 34% of normal (0.58 inch). The wettest March (1957)
received 1.86 inches, while the driest (1968) received 0.02 inch. A total of a Trace of snow was recorded
during the month, compared to a normal of 0.4 inch, and a maximum snowfall of 4.2 inches (1951).
Snowfall for the 2007-2008 snowfall season (through March) is 26.5 inches, compared to a normal of
15.4 inches. Total precipitation for 2008 (through March) is 2.03 inches, 95% of normal (2.13 inches).

The average wind speed for March 2008 was 8.3 miles per hour (mph), which was 0.4 mph above normal
(7.9 mph). The windiest March (1964 and 1977) averaged 10.7 mph, while the March with the lightest
winds (1958) averaged 5.9 mph. The peak gust for March 2008 was 45 mph on March 23 and March 3.
The record wind gust for March was 70 mph in 1956.

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 Staff373-2616

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.