Narrative Summary - January 2006

January 2006 was much warmer than normal, and was the 5th warmest January on record. The average
temperature was 38.4ºF, 6.6º above normal (31.8ºF). The warmest January (1953) averaged 42.5ºF, while the
coldest (1950) averaged 12.1ºF. The following daily temperature records were established during January
2006:

			   New	       Old
Date      Category        Record       Record     Year
 10	  High Minimum	   46	         40       1983
 11	  High Minimum	   40	         37       1990

Precipitation for January 2006 totaled 1.18 inches, 136% of normal (0.87 inches). The wettest January (1970)
received 2.47 inches, and the driest (1977) received 0.08 inch. Snowfall for January 2006 totaled 0.5 inch,
compared to a normal of 4.2 inches, and a record maximum snowfall of 23.4 inches (1950). Snowfall for the
2005-2006 snowfall season through January is 2.9 inches, compared to a normal of 12.4 inches.

The average wind speed for January 2006 was 7.6 miles per hour (mph), which was 1.3 mph above normal (6.3
mph). The windiest January on record (1972) averaged 10.3 mph, while the January with the lightest winds
(1985) averaged 2.9 mph. The peak gust for January 2006 was 54 mph on January 30. 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://hms.pnl.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.