Narrative Summary - February 2002

The average temperature for February 2002 was slightly warmer than normal, averaging 38.4ºF, 0.5º above
normal (37.9ºF). The warmest February occurred in 1958 and averaged 44.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1956,
averaged 25.6ºF. The following daily temperature records were established during February 2002:

			   New		Old
  Date  Category           Record	Record	Year
    22	High Maximum	     66		  62	1995+
    22	High Minimum	     44		  42	1999+

Precipitation for February 2002 was 0.67 inch, 98% of normal (0.68 inch). The wettest February, in 1961,
received 2.10 inches, while the driest, in 1988 and earlier years, received only a trace. Snowfall for February
totaled 0.2 inch, compared to a normal of 2.6 inches. The greatest snowfall total for February was 17.0 inches
in 1989, while many February's (as recently as 1991) have not received snow. Total snowfall for the 2001-
2002 snow season (through February) is 9.3 inches, compared to a normal (through February) of 15.0 inches.

The average wind speed for February 2002 was 7.2 miles per hour (mph), nearly normal (7.1 mph). The
windiest February on record averaged 11.1 mph (1999), while the February with the lightest winds (1963)
averaged 4.6 mph. The peak gust for the month was 44 mph on February 21. The record wind gust for
February was 65 mph in 1971.

The 2001-2002 winter season (December 2001, January and February 2002) was warmer than normal,
averaging 37.0ºF, 3.2º above normal (33.8ºF). The warmest winter, 1966-1967, averaged 40.6ºF, while the
coldest winter, 1948-1949, averaged 24.2ºF. Winter season precipitation totaled 1.89 inches, 71% of normal
(2.66 inches). The wettest winter, 1996-1997, received 5.45 inches, while the driest, 1946-1947, received
0.70 inch. The final snow season totals will be provided in the March summary.

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.