Narrative Summary - February 2004

The average temperature for February 2004 was colder than normal, averaging 37.0ºF, 0.9º below normal (37.9ºF).
The warmest February occurred in 1958 and averaged 44.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1956, averaged 25.6ºF. No
daily temperatures records were in February.

Precipitation for February 2004 totaled 0.92 inch, 135% of normal (0.68 inch). The wettest February, in 1961,
received 2.10 inches; and the driest (1988) received only a trace. Snowfall for February 2004 totaled 1.3
inches, compared to a normal of 2.6 inches. The snowiest February, in 1989, received 17.0 inches, while
numerous Februarys (as recently as last year) have received no snowfall. Total snowfall for the 2003-2004
snow season (through February) is 28.4 inches, compared to a normal of 15.0 inches. Total precipitation for
2004 (through February) is 3.04 inches, 196% of normal (1.55 inches).

The average wind speed for February 2004 was 5.3 miles per hour (mph), 1.8 mph below 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 31 mph on February 24. The record wind gust for
February was 65 mph in 1971.

The 2003-2004 winter season (December 2003, January and February 2004) was cooler and much wetter than
normal. The average temperature of 33.0ºF was 0.8º below normal (33.8ºF). The warmest winter, in 1966-67,
averaged 40.6ºF; while the coldest, in 1948-49, averaged 24.2ºF. Precipitation totaled 5.00 inches, 188% of
normal (2.66 inches) and was the 4th wettest winter on record. The wettest winter, in 1996-97 received 5.45
inches; while the driest, 1946-47, received 0.70 inch.

Note on January 2004: The average sky cover of 9.4 was the greatest for any month on record. The previous
record was 9.3 in December 1985 and February 1980.

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.