Narrative Summary - January 1997

January 1997 was warmer than normal, averaging 33.6ºF, 2.3º above normal (31.3ºF).
Temperatures during the first eleven days of the month averaged 11.4º above normal,
while the remainder of the month varied from much below to slightly above normal.
The maximum temperature of 57ºF on January 2 was a new record high temperature
for the date. The previous record was 56ºF in 1963. The warmest January averaged
42.5ºF (1953); while the coldest averaged only 12.1ºF (1950).

Precipitation for January 1997 totaled 1.51 inches, 191% of normal (0.79 inch). The
wettest January, in 1970, received 2.47 inches, while the driest, in 1977, received only
0.08 inch. January snowfall totaled 1.8 inches, compared to a January normal of 3.9
inches. The snowiest January, in 1950, received 23.4 inches, while January 1994
received no snow at all. Total winter season snowfall through January 1997 was 36.3
inches (normal snowfall through January is 11.5 inches). Without any additional
snowfall, this would be the third snowiest winter on record. The snowiest winter
occurred in 1992-93 with 56.1 inches.

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.