Narrative Summary - February 1999
February 1999 was warmer than normal, averaging 41.7ºF, 3.7º above normal (38.0ºF). The
warmest February occurred in 1958 and averaged 44.5ºF, while the coldest was 25.6ºF in 1956.
The following daily temperature records were established in February:
New Old Date Category Record Record Year 6 High Minimum 44 37 1961 22 High Minimum 42 42 1958 Tie
Precipitation for February 1999 totaled 0.70 inch, 113% of normal (0.62 inch). The wettest
February, in 1961, received 2.10 inches, while the driest, in 1988, received only a trace. There
was only a trace of snowfall recorded in February 1999, compared to a February normal of 2.0
inches. The snowiest February received 17.0 inches (1989), while February 1991 received no
snowfall. Total snowfall for the 1998-1999 winter season through January totals 0.9 inch,
compared to a normal through February of 13.4 inches. Total precipitation since January 1, 1999
is 1.59 inches, 113% of normal (1.41 inches).
February 1999 was the windiest February on record, and tied April 1972 as the windiest month
ever recorded at the Hanford Meteorology Station. The average wind speed for the month was
11.1 miles per hour (mph), compared to a February normal of 7.2 mph. The previous windiest
February was 10.8 mph in 1976. The February with the lightest winds was 4.6 mph in 1963. The
peak gust for the month was 65 miles per hour on February 6, tieing the record gust for February.
A 65 mph gust was also recorded in February 1971. There were 10 days in February 1999 with
gusts of 40 mph or greater, tieing February 1976 for most wind gusts >= 40 mph. The most for any
month was 11 in January 1990.
The 1998-99 winter season (December, January and February) was much warmer than normal,
averaging 37.7ºF, 4.1º above normal (33.6ºF), and tied the winter of 1997-98 as the 6th warmest
winter on record. The warmest was 40.6ºF in 1966-67, and the coldest was 24.2ºF in 1948-49.
The coldest temperature during the winter was -1º on December 21. Precipitation for the 1998-
99 winter season was below normal, totaling 2.03 inches, 83% of normal (2.44 inches). The
wettest winter, in 1996-97, received 5.45 inches; while the driest, 1946-47, received only 0.70
inch. As mentioned above, snowfall for the winter through February totals 0.9 inch, compared to a
normal of 13.4 inches.
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 Burk | 373-3215 | |
| Dana Hoitink | 372-6414 |
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.