Narrative Summary - March 2001

Note: Beginning with the January 2001 summary, all data will be compared to a new set of
normals based upon the period from 1971-2000.

The average temperature for March 2001 was slightly above normal, averaging 46.8ºF, 0.7º above normal
(46.1ºF). The warmest March occurred in 1992 and averaged 51.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1955, averaged 39.4ºF.
No new daily temperature records were established during the month. It has now been more than five months
(156 days) since a new daily temperature record (October 26, 2000).

Precipitation for March 2001 was 0.67 in., 116% of normal (0.58 in.). The wettest March, in 1957, received
1.86 in., while the driest, in 1968, received 0.02 in. No snow was recorded during the month, compared to a
March normal of 0.4 in. The snowiest March, in 1951, received 4.2 in., while numerous March's have not
received any snow. Total snowfall for the 2000-2001 snow season (through March) is 14.4 in. Total
precipitation for 2001 is 1.38 in., 65 % of normal (2.13 in.).

The average wind speed for March 2001 was 8.0 miles per hour (mph), which was normal. The windiest
March on record averaged 10.7 mph (1977), while the March with the lightest winds (1958) averaged 5.9
mph. The peak gust for the month was 56 mph on March 13. The record wind gust for March was 70 mph in
1956.

During the dust storm on March 13 wind gusts reached 97 mph on Rattlesnake Mountain, and exceeded 60
mph at numerous Hanford Meteorological Monitoring Network stations (although the official peak gust for
the day was 56 mph). There was a period of 5 hours (from noon through 5 pm) at the Hanford Meteorological
Station when the visibility was reduced to one mile or less due to blowing dust. This was the longest period
of reduced visibility (except from fog) since the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in May 1980.

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.