Narrative Summary - July 2006

July 2006 was much warmer than normal, averaging 80.1ºF, 3.8º above normal (76.3ºF). This was
the 8th warmest July on record, and the 11th month on record with an average temperature >=80ºF .
The hottest July (1985) averaged 82.2ºF, while the coolest (1993) averaged 70.5ºF. There were 26
days in July with maximum temperatures >=90ºF compared to a July normal of 19. There have been
38 days this year with maximum temperatures >=90ºF compared to a normal (through July) of 30
days. There were 12 days in July with maximum temperatures >=100ºF compared to a July normal
of 6. There have been 17 days this year with maximum temperatures >=100ºF compared to a
normal (through July) of 7. The following daily temperatures records were established during July
2006:

			New	Old 
Date    Category	Record Record	Year
 2	High Maximum	 104	103	1996
 4	High Minimum      75	 75	1970  Tied 
23	High Maximum	 113(a)	109	1994
24	High Minimum	  78	 75	1962
30	Low Minimum	  48	 49	1950
	
(a)  Tied record high maximum temperature.  113ºF also occurred 07/13/2002 and 08/04/1961.
			

Precipitation for July 2006 totaled only a trace, 0% of normal (0.27 inch). The wettest July (1993)
received 1.76 inches, while the driest (2003) received no precipitation. Total precipitation for 2006
(through July) is 5.03 inches, 132% of normal (3.80 inches).

The average wind speed for July 2006 was 8.6 miles per hour (mph), which was normal (8.6 mph).
The windiest July (1983) averaged 10.7 mph, while the July with the lightest winds (1955) averaged
6.8 mph. The peak gust for July 2006 was 44 mph on July 6. The record wind gust for July was 69
mph in 1979.

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.