Narrative Summary - August 2004

The average temperature for August 2004 was warmer than normal, averaging 77.9ºF, 2.5º above normal (75.4ºF).
The warmest August occurred in 1967 and averaged 81.5ºF, while the coolest, in 1964, averaged 69.8ºF. There
were 21 days with maximum temperatures >= 90ºF and 10 days >= 100ºF, compared to August normals of 17 days and
4 days respectively for those categories. The year-to-date totals are 58 days >= 90ºF and 22 days >= 100ºF, compared
to year-to-date normals of 47 days and 12 days respectively. The maximum temperature of 107ºF on August 13 tied
the record for that date (also occurring on August 13, 1992). 

                           New          Old
Date      Category        Record       Record       Year
 13	High Maximum	   107		107	    1992 Tie

Precipitation for August 2004 totaled 0.95 inch, 352% of normal (0.27 inch), and was the 5th wettest August on
record. The wettest August, in 1977, received 1.36 inches; and the driest, in 1998 and earlier years, received no
precipitation. Total precipitation for 2004 (through August) is 6.30 inches, 155% of normal (4.07 inches).

The average wind speed for August 2004 was 7.5 miles per hour (mph), 0.5 mph below normal (8.0 mph). The
windiest August on record (1996) averaged 9.5 mph, while the August with the lightest winds (1956) averaged
6.0 mph. The peak gust for the month was 44 mph on August 14. The record wind gust for August was 66 mph
in 1961.

The 2004 summer season (June, July and August) was warmer than normal, averaging 75.9ºF, 2.2º above
normal (73.7ºF). The warmest summer (1958), averaged 78.2ºF, while the coolest (1980) averaged 70.2ºF.
The highest temperature was 107ºF on August 13. Precipitation for the summer season totaled 1.80 inches,
190% of normal, and was the 6th wettest summer on record. The wettest summer (1950) received 2.99 inches,
and the driest (1973) received on 0.03 inch.

The monthly climatological data summaries, as well as other information, are available
on the Internet. Address: http://terrassa.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.