Narrative Summary - March 1997

March 1997 was warmer than normal, averaging 47.5ºF, 1.9º above normal (45.6ºF).
The minimum temperature of 53ºF on March 19 set a new record high minimum
temperature for the date. The previous record was 47ºF in 1947. The warmest March
averaged 51.5ºF (1992); while the coolest averaged 39.4ºF (1955).

Precipitation for March 1997 totaled 0.70 inches, 149% of normal (0.47 inches). The
wettest March, in 1957, received 1.86 inches, while the driest, in 1968, received 0.02
inches. March snowfall totaled 1.5 inches, compared to a March normal of 0.3 inches.
The snowiest March, in 1951, received 4.2 inches, while many March's, as recently as
1995 received no snow at all. Total snowfall through March 1997 was 40.5 inches
(normal snowfall through March is 13.8 inches). This was the second snowiest winter
on record. The snowiest winter occurred in 1992-93 with 56.1 inches. Total
precipitation since January 1, 1997 is 2.46 inches, 131% of normal (1.88 inches).

The wind storm of Easter Sunday, March 30, produced the highest wind gust at the
HMS in more than a year. The gust of 59 miles per hour (mph) was the highest since
a gust of 61 mph on December 12, 1995. The average wind speed for March 1997, 9.6
miles per hour, is the highest monthly average since April 1991, which averaged
10.0 miles per hour

The monthly climatological data summaries, as well as other information, are now
available on the Internet. Address: http://etd.pnl.gov:2080/HMS/ .

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.