Narrative Summary - August 1996

August 1996 was slightly warmer than normal, averaging 75.6ºF, 0.5º above
normal (75.1ºF). The warmest August averaged 81.5ºF (1967), while the
coolest, in 1964, averaged 69.8ºF. The following daily temperature records
were established during the month:

Precipitation for August 1996 totaled only 0.02 in., 7% of normal (0.27 in.).
The wettest August, in 1977, received 1.36 in., while the driest, in 1988 and
earlier years, received no precipitation. Total precipitation since January 1
is 4.73 in., 130% of normal (3.63 in.).

The summer season (June, July and August) was warmer than normal, averaging
74.7ºF, 1.0º above normal (73.7ºF). The hottest temperature during the summer
of 1996 was 109ºF on August 10. The warmest summer, in 1958, averaged 78.2ºF,
while the coolest, in 1980, averaged only 70.2ºF. There were 51 days with
maximum temperatures ò 90ºF (normal through August is 47 days), with 19 of
those days having maximum temperatures ò 100ºF (normal is 13 days).

Summer season precipitation totaled only 0.21 in., 25% of normal (0.83 in.),
and was the third driest summer on record. The driest summer, in 1973,
received only 0.03 in., while the wettest, in 1950, received 2.99 in.

For additional information contact:

Ken Burk		373-3215
Dana Hoitink		372-6414

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.