Narrative Summary - January 2003

The average temperature for January 2003 was much warmer than normal, averaging 38.0ºF, 6.2º above normal
(31.8ºF). The warmest January occurred in 1953 and averaged 42.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1950, averaged
12.1ºF. Twenty-four days during January 2003 had average temperatures that were normal or above normal. The
maximum temperature of 67ºF on January 26 was a record high for the date; the previous record was 61ºF in
1971.

Precipitation for January 2003 was 1.87 inches, 215% of normal (0.87 inch). This was the fifth wettest
January on record. The wettest, in 1970, received 2.47 inches, while the driest, in 1977, received 0.08 inch.
Snowfall for January 2003 totaled 0.7 inch, compared to a normal of 4.2 inches. Total snow season snowfall
is only 1.3 inches, compared to a normal through January of 12.4 inches.

The average wind speed for January 2003 was 5.2 miles per hour (mph), 1.1 mph below normal (6.3 mph).
The windiest January on record averaged 10.3 mph (1972), while the January with the lightest winds (1985)
averaged 2.9 mph. The peak gust for the month was 39 mph on January 2. The record wind gust for January
was 80 mph in 1972.

January 2003 tied January 1978 as the cloudiest January on record. The average cloud cover for the month
was 9.2 (based upon a scale of 0 for clear, and 10 for cloudy). The normal average daily cloud cover for
January is 7.9, the lowest was 4.3 in 1949.

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.