Narrative Summary - January 1999

January 1999 was much warmer than normal, averaging 38.3ºF, 7.0º above normal (31.3ºF), and
was the 5th warmest January on record. The warmest January occurred in 1953 and averaged
42.5ºF, while the coldest was 12.1ºF in 1950. The following daily temperature records were
established in January:

			  New        Old
Date      Category        Record     Record     Year
 14	 High Maximum       62         60       1961  
 28	 High Minimum	    42         41	1953
 29	 High Minimum	    47	       44       1992

Precipitation for January 1999 totaled 0.89 inch, 113% of normal (0.79 inch). The wettest
January, in 1970, received 2.47 inches, while the driest, in 1977, received 0.08 inch. There was
only a trace of snowfall recorded in January 1999, compared to a January normal of 3.9 inches.
The snowiest January received 23.4 inches (1950), while January 1994 received no snowfall.
Total snowfall for the 1998-1999 winter season through January totals 0.9 inches, compared to a
normal through January of 11.4 inches.

The average wind speed for January 1999 was 7.7 miles per hour (mph) compared to a January
normal of 6.5 mph. The peak wind gust for the month was 55 mph recorded on January 29. The
record wind gust for 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.