Narrative Summary - February 1998

February 1998 was much warmer than normal, averaging 42.2ºF, 4.2º above normal
(38.0ºF). Only six days during the month had average temperatures below normal.
The warmest February averaged 44.5ºF (1958 and 1991); while the coldest averaged
25.6ºF (1956). No daily temperature records were established during February.

Precipitation for February 1998 totaled 1.15 inches, 186% of normal (0.62 inch).
The wettest February, in 1961, received 2.10 inches; while the driest, in 1967
and 1988, received only a trace. Only a trace of snowfall was recorded in
February 1998, compared to a normal of 2.0 inches. The snowiest February, in
1989, received 17.0 inches, while numerous Februarys (as recently as 1991)
received no snowfall.

February 1998's average wind speed was 7.3 miles per hour (mph), compared to a
February normal of 7.2 mph. The peak wind gust for the month was 50 mph
recorded on February 21. The record wind gust for February was 65 mph in 1971.
The windiest February averaged 10.8 mph (1976); while the February with the
lightest winds (1963) averaged 4.6 mph.

The winter season of 1997-1998 (December, January and February) was much warmer
than normal, averaging 37.7ºF, 4.1ºF above normal (33.6ºF). The warmest winter
on record (1966-1967) averaged 40.6ºF, while the coldest (1948-1949) averaged
only 24.2ºF. The coldest temperature for the winter was 7ºF on January 13.

Precipitation for the 1997-1998 winter season totaled 2.70 inches, 111% of
normal (2.44 inches). The wettest winter season (1996-1997) received 5.45
inches, while the driest (1946-1947) received only 0.70 inch. Total snowfall
for the 1997-1998 winter season totaled 8.1 inches, compared to a normal through
February of 13.5 inches. The snowiest winter on record (1992-1993) received
56.1 inches, while the winter with the least snow (1957-1958) received only 0.3
inch.

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.