Narrative Summary - March 2004

The average temperature for March 2004 was much warmer than normal, averaging 49.7ºF, 3.6º above normal
(46.1ºF). This was the second warmest March on record. The warmest March occurred in 1992 and averaged
51.5ºF, while the coldest, in 1955, averaged 39.4ºF. All but three days had average temperatures that were normal
or above normal. The following daily temperatures records were established in March:

                              New         Old
Date          Category        Record     Record       Year
  7           High Maximum     66           66        1953  Tie
  7           High Minimum     42           42        1985  Tie
  8           High Maximum     70           67        1953

Precipitation for March 2004 totaled 0.36 inch, 62% of normal (0.58 inch). The wettest March, in 1957,
received 1.86 inches; and the driest, in 1968, received only 0.02 inch. No snow was recorded during the
month, compared to a March normal of 0.4 inch. The snowiest March, in 1951, received 4.2 inches, while
numerous months of March (as recently as last year) have received no snowfall. Total snowfall for the 2003-
2004 snow season was 28.4 inches, compared to a normal of 15.4 inches. Total precipitation for 2004 (through
March) is 3.40 inches, 160% of normal (2.13 inches).

The average wind speed for March 2004 was 8.3 miles per hour (mph), 0.3 mph above normal (8.0 mph). The
windiest March on record averaged 10.7 mph (1977 and earlier years), while the March with the lightest winds
(1958) averaged 5.9 mph. The peak gust for the month was 51 mph on March 18. The record wind gust for
March was 70 mph in 1956.

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.