Narrative Summary - January 1998

January 1998 was much warmer than normal, averaging 36.1ºF, 4.8º above
normal (31.3ºF). Except for a four-day cold spell from January 10-13, which
included a minimum temperature of 7ºF on January 13, the rest of the month was
considerably warmer than normal. The warmest January averaged 42.5ºF (1953);
while the coldest averaged 12.1ºF (1950). The following daily temperature
records were established:

                            New         Old
Date     Category         Record      Record       Year
  1   High Maximum           57          57        1964   Tie
  6   High Minimum           42          39        1956
 17   High Maximum           57          56        1989

Precipitation for January 1998 totaled 1.24 inches, 157% of normal (0.79 inch).
The wettest January, in 1970, received 2.47 inches; while the driest, in 1977,
received 0.08 inch. Snowfall for January 1998 totaled 6.3 inches, compared to a
January normal of 3.9 inches. The snowiest January, in 1950, received 23.4
inches, while January 1994 received no snowfall. Total snowfall for the 1997-98
winter through January is 8.1 inches, compared to a normal through January of
11.5 inches.

January 1998's average wind speed was 7.8 miles per hour (mph), compared to a
January normal of 6.5 mph. The peak wind gust for the month was 43 mph
recorded on January 24. There were 5 days in January 1998 with peak gusts
>=40 mph, compared to a normal of 3 and a high of 11 (in 1990 and 1972). The
highest wind gust ever recorded during January was 80 mph in 1972. The
windiest January averaged 10.3 mph (1972); while the January with the lightest
winds (1985) averaged 2.9 mph.

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.