Narrative Summary - December 2006

The average temperature for December 2006 was colder than normal, averaging 29.0ºF, 2.7º below normal
(31.7ºF). The warmest December (1957) averaged 38.5ºF, while the coldest (1985) averaged 21.0ºF.
The following records were established in December 2006:

			   New	Old
Date	Category       	Record	Record	Year
 3      Low Maximum        21    22     1972
 3      Low Minimum         8     8     1985 tied record

Precipitation for December 2006 totaled 1.75 inches, 158% of normal (1.11 inches). The wettest December
(1996) received 3.69 inches, and the driest (1999) received 0.07 inch. Snowfall for December totaled 2.0
inches, compared to a normal of 5.8 inches. The snowiest December on record (1996) received 22.6 inches.

The average wind speed for December 2006 was 6.0 miles per hour (mph), which was 0.1 mph below normal
(6.1 mph). The windiest December on record (1968) averaged 8.3 mph, while the December with the lightest
winds (1985) averaged 3.3 mph. The peak gust for December 2006 was 74 mph on December 15, which set a
new record for the month. The previous record wind gust for December was 71 mph in 1955.

Calendar year 2006 averaged 54.0ºF, which was slightly above normal (53.6ºF). The warmest years (1992 and
1998) averaged 56.4ºF, while the coolest year (1985) averaged 49.6ºF. The hottest temperature during 2006
was 113ºF on July 23. This tied the record maximum temperature ever recorded at HMS, previously
established in July 2002 and August 1961. The coldest temperature was 3ºF on February 19. Precipitation for
2006 totaled 8.46 inches, 121% of normal (6.98 inches). The wettest year (1995) received 12.31 inches, while
the driest (1976) received 2.99 inches. Calendar year 2006 snowfall totaled 4.4 inches, compared to a normal
of 15.4 inches.

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

For additional information contact:
Ken Burk373-3215
HMS Office373-2716

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.