Narrative Summary - April 2002

Note: Due to insufficient interest for compact disc (CD), the annual report will be issued via paper copy only.


The average temperature for April 2002 was slightly cooler than normal, averaging 53.2ºF, 0.3º below normal
(53.5ºF). The warmest April occurred in 1994 and averaged 58.2ºF, while the coolest, in 1955, averaged 47.5ºF.
There were no daily temperature records established in April 2002.




Precipitation for April 2002 was 0.29 inch, 66% of normal (0.44 inch).  The wettest April, in 1995, received 

1.54 inches, while the driest, in 1999 and earlier years, received only a trace amount.  No snowfall was 

recorded in April.  The greatest snowfall total for any April was 1.0 inch in 1982, while April usually receives 

no snowfall.  Total snowfall for the 2001-2002 snow season was 10.7 inches, compared to a normal of 15.4 

inches. The most snowfall in a season was 56.1 inches (1992-1993), while the least was 0.3 inch (1957-1958). 

 Total precipitation for 2002 (through April) is 1.57 inches, 61% of normal (2.57 inches).



The average wind speed for April 2002 was 9.0 miles per hour (mph), 0.2 mph above normal (8.8 mph).  The 

windiest April on record averaged 11.1 mph (1972), while the April with the lightest winds (1989 and earlier 

years) averaged 7.4 mph. The peak gust for the month was 50 mph on April 14. The record wind gust for 

April was 73 mph in 1972.  



The monthly climatological data summaries, as well as other information, are available

on the Internet.  Address: http://etd.pnl.gov:2080/HMS/.  Hanford Site personnel can

access the HMS Intranet site at: http://hms.rl.gov/ 



For additional information contact: 




Ken Burk373-3215


Dana Hoitink372-6414




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.