Narrative Summary - August 2003

The average temperature for August 2003 was warmer than normal, averaging 76.5ºF, 1.1º above normal
(75.4ºF). The warmest August occurred in 1967 and averaged 81.5ºF, while the coolest, in 1964, averaged
69.8ºF. There have been 63 days with maximum temperatures >= 90ºF through August 31 (normal is 47), and 16
days above 100ºF (normal through August and for the summer is 13). No daily temperature records were
established in August.

Precipitation for August 2003 totaled 0.46 inch, 170 percent of normal (0.27 inch). The wettest August on
record, in 1977, received 1.36 inches; and the driest, in 1988 and 1955, received no precipitation. The period
from June 2 through August 1 (61 days) was the second longest period on record with no precipitation (the
longest period was 66 days, from July 14, 1988 through September 17, 1988). Total 2003 precipitation
(through August) is 5.72 inches, 140% of normal (4.07 inches).

The average wind speed for August 2003 was 7.6 miles per hour (mph), 0.4 mph below normal (8.0 mph).
The windiest August on record averaged 9.5 mph (1996), while the August with the lightest winds (1956)
averaged 6.0 mph. The peak gust for the month was 45 mph on August 19. The record wind gust for July was
66 mph in 1961.

The 2003 summer season (June, July and August) averaged 76.4ºF, 2.7º above normal (73.7ºF), and was the
6th warmest summer on record. The warmest summer (1958) averaged 78.2ºF; while the coolest (1980)
averaged 70.2ºF. The hottest temperature was 108ºF on July 28, 29 and 30. Summer precipitation totaled
0.46 inch, 48 percent of normal (0.95 inch). The wettest summer (1950) received 2.99 inches, while the driest
(1973) received 0.03 inch.

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.