Narrative Summary - January 2002

Note: Beginning with the January 2001 summary, all data will be compared to a new set of
normals based upon the period from 1971-2000.

The average temperature for January 2002 was much warmer than normal, averaging 37.6ºF, 5.8º above
normal (31.8ºF). The warmest January occurred in 1953 and averaged 42.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1950,
averaged 12.1ºF. Twenty-six days during January had above normal average temperatures. The following
daily temperature records were established during January 2002:

			   New		Old
  Date  Category           Record	Record	Year
     7	High Maximum	     63		  63	1962   Tied
     8	High Maximum	     59		  56	1983
    24	High Minimum	     45		  43	1958

Precipitation for January 2002 was 0.42 inch, 48% of normal (0.87 inch). The wettest January, in 1970,
received 2.47 inches, while the driest, in 1977, received only 0.08 inch. Snowfall for January totaled 0.6 inch,
compared to a normal of 4.2 inches. The greatest snowfall total for January was 23.4 inches in 1950, while
January 1994 received no snow. Total snowfall for the 2001-2002 snow season (through January) is 9.1
inches, compared to a normal (through January) of 12.4 inches.

The average wind speed for January 2002 was 8.2 miles per hour (mph), 1.9 mph above normal (6.3 mph).
The windiest January on averaged 10.2 mph (1972), while the January with the lightest winds (1985)
averaged 2.9 mph. The peak gust for the month was 57 mph on January 12. The record wind gust for January
was 80 mph in 1972.

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.