Narrative Summary - April 2003

The average temperature for April 2003 was cooler than normal, averaging 52.2ºF, 1.3º below normal (53.5ºF).
The warmest April occurred in 1994 and averaged 58.2ºF, while the coldest, in 1955, averaged 47.5ºF. The
minimum temperature of 24ºF on April 4 established a new low minimum for the date, the previous record having
been 27ºF in 1950.




April 2003 established several precipitation records.  Precipitation for the month totaled 2.23 inches, 507% of 

normal (0.44 inches), the wettest April on record.  The previous wettest April occurred in 1995 and received 

1.54 inches, while the driest, in 1999 and earlier years, received only a trace.  It was also the 13th wettest 

month at the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS) since record-keeping began in December 1944.  The 

wettest month ever was December 1996 with 3.69 inches.  There were two days in April 2003 with 

precipitation totals >0.50 inch (an April record), with one 24-hr period receiving 1.24 inches, a record 24-hr 

precipitation total for any April, and the 5th greatest 24-hr amount in HMS history.  The greatest 24-hr 

precipitation amount was 1.91 inches on October 1-2, 1957.  Total 2003 precipitation (through April) is 5.18 

inches, 202% of normal (2.57 inches).



On Tuesday evening, April 29, a funnel cloud was seen over the Rattlesnake Hills.



The average wind speed for April 2003 was 7.8 miles per hour (mph), 1.0 mph below normal (8.8 mph).  The 

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

(1958 and earlier years) averaged 7.4 mph. The peak gust for the month was 48 mph on April 9. 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.