Narrative Summary - August 1999

August 1999 was slightly warmer than normal, averaging 76.2ºF, 1.1º above normal (75.1ºF).
The warmest August occurred in 1967 and averaged 81.5ºF, while the coolest was 69.8ºF in
1964. Through August there have been 45 days with maximum temperatures >= 90ºF compared to a
normal of 47 days, and 7 days with maximum temperatures >= 100ºF compared to a normal of 13
days. The following daily temperature records were established in August:

                          New          Old
Date   Category          Record       Record     Year
  3    High Minimum        75           75       1994  Tie   
 30    Low Maximum	   64*		68	 1951    
 31    Low Minimum	   43		45	 1965
 31    Low Maximum	   72		72	 1971  Tie
*The maximum temperature of 64ºF on August 30 was an all-time record low maximum for the
month of August, the previous record was 67ºF on August 20, 1959.

Precipitation for August 1999 totaled 0.57 in., 211% of normal (0.27 in.). Most of the
precipitation (0.48 in.) was received during a thunderstorm on August 5, with 0.40 in. falling in a
35-minute period. The wettest August, in 1977, received 1.36 in., while the driest, in 1988,
received no precipitation. Total precipitation since January 1 was 2.94 in., 81% of normal (3.63
in.).

The average wind speed for August 1999 was 8.2 miles per hour (mph), 0.3 mph above normal
(7.9 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 44 mph on August 29.
The record wind gust for August was 66 mph in 1961.

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/

The summer of 1999 (June, July and August) was cooler than normal, averaging 72.5ºF, 1.2º
below normal (73.7ºF). The hottest summer, in 1958, averaged 78.2ºF, while the coolest, in
1980, averaged 70.2ºF. The highest temperature was 105ºF on July 28. Precipitation for the
summer season totaled 0.95 in., 115% of normal (0.83 in.). The wettest summer, in 1950,
received 2.99 in., while the driest, in 1973, received only 0.03 in.

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.