Narrative Summary - March 2009

March 2009 was much cooler than normal, averaging 41.9ºF, 4.2º below normal (46.1ºF). This makes
March 2009 the sixth coolest on record. HMS has not had an average temperature for March below
42.0ºF since 1976 (41.4ºF). The warmest March (1992) averaged 51.5ºF, while the coldest (1955)
averaged 39.4ºF. The following records were established in March 2009:

       			New	Old
Date	Category       	Record	Record	Year
  9	Low Minimum 	  22	  22	1994 Tied
 10	Low Maximum	  34	  40	1948
 11	Low Minimum 	  19	  28	1950

Precipitation for March 2009 totaled 0.80 inch, 138% of normal (0.58 inch). The wettest March (1957)
received 1.86 inches, while the driest (1968) received 0.02 inch. A total of 0.3 inches 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 2008-2009 snowfall season (through March) is 19.0 inches, compared to a
normal of 15.4 inches. Total precipitation for 2009 (through March) is 2.59 inches, 122% of normal (2.13
inches).

The average wind speed for March 2009 was 8.9 miles per hour (mph), which was 1.0 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 2009 was 61 mph on March 15. 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.